Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart diseases include any issues preventing normal cardiovascular function due to damage or alteration to the anatomical components of the heart. This is caused by aging, advanced atherosclerosis, calcification, tissue degeneration, congenital heart defects and heart failure. The most commonly treated areas are the heart valves, in particular the mitral and aortic valves. These can be replaced through open heart surgery or using cath lab-based transcatheter valves or repairs to eliminate regurgitation due to faulty valve leaflets. This includes transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Other common procedures include left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion and closing congenital holes in the heart, such as PFO and ASD. A growing area includes transcatheter mitral repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

Diabetes reduces survival after SAVR, but not TAVR
"TAVR has been associated with better valve hemodynamics and a lower risk of structural valve deterioration over time compared with SAVR," researchers wrote. "This benefit may be particularly relevant for diabetes patients who face higher risks of vascular complications."
Imaging specialist Rebecca Hahn explores key details about the Evoque TTVR device
Rebecca Hahn, MD, discussed key takeaways from the TRISCEND II trial for the Edwards Lifesciences Evoque TTVR valve and shared additional details related to patient selection and implanting the device.
Robotic mitral repair compares favorably to surgery—but some concerns remain
Robotic-assisted mitral valve repair is associated with short-term outcomes comparable to conventional surgery, according to a new analysis of more than 40,000 patients. Robotic treatment also helps patients spend less time in the hospital, but the costs are much higher.
Radial secondary access during TAVR limits complications
Radial access is already the primary choice for many cardiologists performing PCI due to a lower risk of complications. The same appears to be true for secondary access during TAVR.
Medtronic’s Harmony TPVR system gains CE mark approval
The FDA-approved Harmony TPVR system is now available to patients across the EU. Nina Goodheart, president of Medtronic’s structural heart and aortic business, described the news as a "significant milestone."

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Diabetes reduces survival after SAVR, but not TAVR

"TAVR has been associated with better valve hemodynamics and a lower risk of structural valve deterioration over time compared with SAVR," researchers wrote. "This benefit may be particularly relevant for diabetes patients who face higher risks of vascular complications."

Rebecca Hahn, MD, a principal investigator for the TRISCEND II trial, discusses key takeaways of the Edwards Lifesciences Evoque tricuspid TTVR valve.

Imaging specialist Rebecca Hahn explores key details about the Evoque TTVR device

Rebecca Hahn, MD, discussed key takeaways from the TRISCEND II trial for the Edwards Lifesciences Evoque TTVR valve and shared additional details related to patient selection and implanting the device.

Robotic mitral repair compares favorably to surgery—but some concerns remain

Robotic-assisted mitral valve repair is associated with short-term outcomes comparable to conventional surgery, according to a new analysis of more than 40,000 patients. Robotic treatment also helps patients spend less time in the hospital, but the costs are much higher.

Radial secondary access during TAVR limits complications

Radial access is already the primary choice for many cardiologists performing PCI due to a lower risk of complications. The same appears to be true for secondary access during TAVR.

Transcatheter pulmonary valve replacement (TPVR) with Medtronic’s self-expanding Harmony valve is both safe and effective after more than a year, according to new real-world data published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.[1]

Medtronic’s Harmony TPVR system gains CE mark approval

The FDA-approved Harmony TPVR system is now available to patients across the EU. Nina Goodheart, president of Medtronic’s structural heart and aortic business, described the news as a "significant milestone."

Michael Reardon, MD, said monitoring under expansion would have made Acurate Neo2 non-inferior to current TAVR valves in the ACURATE IDE trial.

The primary reason Boston Scientific’s TAVR valve fell short in clinical trial

Michael Reardon, MD, co-principal investigator of the ACURATE IDE trial, discussed updated data on what may have impacted that study's findings.

‘A victory for TAVR’: How treatment impacts elderly patients in their last year of life

New research out of Denmark explored how undergoing TAVR may or may not influence the final year of a patient's life.

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