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.

RSS icon

Women significantly more likely to die during AVR surgeries

Women are far more susceptible to dangerous risk factors and mortality following aortic valve replacement (AVR) procedures, according to a study newly published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Thumbnail

20-year study examines predictors of heart disease, PAD

Although coronary heart disease (CHD) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) share a handful of characteristics and risk factors, they affect different vascular territories and vary in pathogenesis, a study of more than two decades has found.

Patients with schizophrenia face shorter lives, greater cardiovascular risk

Despite an overall decline in mortality of individuals who suffer from schizophrenia, patients living with the mental illness are still experiencing shorter lives and have a higher rate of cardiovascular disease (CVD) than the general population, according to a new study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

Thumbnail

National accreditation program aims to benefit adults with congenital heart disease

To better serve the 1.4 million U.S. adults living with congenital heart disease, the Adult Congenital Heart Association (ACHA) on Sept. 14 announced the start of a national accreditation program.

Mobile health device usage leads to fewer deaths, hospitalizations

Living in a technological era could mean quicker, more accurate and even smartphone-linked medical diagnoses, one study of mobile health device use in India has suggested.

NEJM research: PFO closure reduces risk of recurrent stroke

The New England Journal of Medicine tackled patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure in its Sept. 13 issue, with three separate studies and an editorial devoted to the topic. 

Transcatheter closure may be alternative solution of aortic anastomosis leak

An aortic anastomosis leak (AAL) is a complication that’s difficult to address after surgery, but a case study from Chinese researchers offers a possible alternative to the usual method of handling this challenging issue—which is to operate.

Thumbnail

Triple-screening for heart disease reduces mortality rates in older men

A Danish study conducted between 2008 and 2011 suggests a simple, 10-minute triple-screening for cardiovascular risks could reduce 5-year mortality rates by as much as 7 percent in older men.

Displaying 929 - 936 of 2332

Around the web

Health Imaging
Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

Health Imaging
New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.