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
A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Valve durability after TAVR: Cardiologists track how deterioration influences outcomes

Researchers have made it a priority to learn as much about the durability of TAVR valves as possible. A new study in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions used updated VARC-3 definitions to identify signs of hemodynamic valve deterioration in nearly 2,500 patients.

Meril Life Sciences, an India-based medical device company founded in 2006, developed the Myval TAVR valve

Early outcomes with Myval TAVR valve comparable to popular devices from Medtronic, Edwards

Meril Life Sciences has been manufacturing its Myval heart valves for years. The devices are approved and available in both India and Europe, but they have not been approved by the FDA.

STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, a congenital heart surgeon with Mott Children’s Hospital and professor with the University of Michigan (UM) Medical School, spoke with Cardiovascular Business to preview STS 2025.

Q&A: Society of Thoracic Surgeons president previews the trends and technologies of STS 2025

It looked like the wildfires in Los Angeles could force STS to cancel its annual meeting, but the group worked with city officials and was able to carry on as planned. STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, discussed that difficult decision and previewed the three-day event in a new interview.

cardiologist viewing heart data

Aortic valve calcium scores help predict need for a permanent pacemaker after TAVR

RBBB remains the single strongest predictor for PPMI after TAVR, but high AV calcium scores still provide care teams with considerable value.

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.

Thumbnail

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.

Surgeons Operating On Patient

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.

Displaying 121 - 128 of 2482

Around the web

Health Exec
Major association of physicians presents itself as a go-to alternative vs. the government on vaccine expertise

One of the most formidable societies of medical professionals in the U.S. is going toe-to-toe with Robert F. Kennedy’s HHS over changing vaccination recommendations. 

Health Exec
Tom Price: Medical residency slots need to expand to combat physician shortages

Tom Price, MD, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said one way to address the growing shortage of physicians is to expand medical resident positions, but these are tied to Medicare spending so alternative means may be needed.