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.

LAMPOON before TMVR improves symptoms without complications, long-term data confirm
LVOT obstruction remains a significant complication of TMVR, making the long-term safety and effectiveness of the LAMPOON technique a hot topic in interventional cardiology.
New-look TAVR valve recently acquired by Edwards may reduce risk of coronary obstruction
Early data suggest the J-Valve transcatheter heart valve could help care teams avoid a rare, but often fatal TAVR complication when treating high-risk patients.
FDA clears new device for valve-in-valve TAVR patients at risk of coronary obstruction
ShortCut, which gained the FDA’s breakthrough device designation back in January, is used to split valve leaflets and reduce the risk of obstruction.
Reduced LVEF before TAVR linked to lower long-term survival rate
Heart teams already view reduced LVEF as a potential risk factor, but research into its long-term impact on patient outcomes has been limited.
Long-term survival after valve-in-valve TAVR similar with self-expanding, balloon-expandable valves
Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch was more common with balloon-expandable valves, but that difference did not appear to impact outcomes.

LAMPOON before TMVR improves symptoms without complications, long-term data confirm

LVOT obstruction remains a significant complication of TMVR, making the long-term safety and effectiveness of the LAMPOON technique a hot topic in interventional cardiology.

October 2, 2024

Performing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the J-Valve transcatheter heart valve (THV) may help limit the risk of coronary artery obstruction (CAO) in high-risk patients, according to a new study published in Clinical Interventions in Aging.[1]

New-look TAVR valve recently acquired by Edwards may reduce risk of coronary obstruction

Early data suggest the J-Valve transcatheter heart valve could help care teams avoid a rare, but often fatal TAVR complication when treating high-risk patients.

October 1, 2024

FDA clears new device for valve-in-valve TAVR patients at risk of coronary obstruction

ShortCut, which gained the FDA’s breakthrough device designation back in January, is used to split valve leaflets and reduce the risk of obstruction.

September 30, 2024

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

Reduced LVEF before TAVR linked to lower long-term survival rate

Heart teams already view reduced LVEF as a potential risk factor, but research into its long-term impact on patient outcomes has been limited.

September 27, 2024

Long-term survival after valve-in-valve TAVR similar with self-expanding, balloon-expandable valves

Severe prosthesis-patient mismatch was more common with balloon-expandable valves, but that difference did not appear to impact outcomes.

September 25, 2024

cardiologist patient heart compensation starting salary 2022 interventional cardiologist

LBBAP limits hospital readmissions after TAVR

Left bundle branch area pacing is associated with better long-term outcomes than traditional right ventricular pacing when patients require PPMI after TAVR, according to new research in Heart Rhythm.

September 20, 2024

SAVR associated with several long-term benefits for patients with asymptomatic severe AS

The current evidence suggests early surgery is a better treatment option for asymptomatic severe AS than conservative care, researchers explained.

September 19, 2024

Balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) valves that fail to expand symmetrically may be associated with worse hemodynamic data, according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Asymmetrical valve expansion after TAVR a cause for concern

Calcified debris can sometimes lead to stent frame issues that cause a patient's TAVR valve to expand asymmetrically. Few studies have explored the potential impact of valve asymmetry—until now.

September 18, 2024

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