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.

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Lower-intensity statin combo may benefit high-risk patients

Patients who do not tolerate or respond to higher-intensity statins may benefit from lower-intensity statin therapy along with either bile acid sequestrants or ezetimibe, findings from a study published online Feb. 11 in Annals of Internal Medicine suggest.

Society to docs: Discuss testosterone therapy’s risk with patients

The Endocrine Society recommended that physicians discuss the potential of cardiovascular risks with middle-age and older patients who are considering testosterone therapy to treat symptoms of declining testosterone levels.

AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation awards $197,634 grant to Saint Agnes Hospital Foundation

The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program today announced a grant of $197,634 to Saint Agnes Hospital Foundation to support its Heart-to-Heart initiative. This is the second consecutive year in which the Saint Agnes Hospital Foundation has received a grant from the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, totaling $442,089.

AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation awards $213,094 grant to Christiana Care Health System

The AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation’s Connections for Cardiovascular HealthSM program today announced a grant of $213,094 to Christiana Care Health System to support its No Heart Left Behind program. This is the third consecutive year in which Christiana Care has received a grant from the AstraZeneca HealthCare Foundation, totaling $561,557.

Edwards' SAPIEN XT valve approved in Europe for transcatheter mitral and aortic valve-in-valve procedures

Edwards Lifesciences Corporation (NYSE: EW), the global leader in the science of heart valves and hemodynamic monitoring, today announced it has received CE Mark in Europe for valve-in-valve procedures using the SAPIEN XT transcatheter heart valve, providing a minimally invasive treatment option for patients whose surgical mitral or aortic valves require replacement, and who are at extreme risk for surgery. Edwards is the only company to receive a valve-in-valve indication for the mitral position, which addresses an unmet need within the clinical community to provide an alternative to a high-risk surgery.

Neovasc Inc. announces successful first human implant of Tiara transcatheter mitral valve

Neovasc Inc. (TSXV: NVC) today announced that a first-in-human implantation of its Tiara™ transcatheter mitral valve was successfully performed on January 30th  by physicians at St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver, BC. The transapical procedure resulted in the elimination of mitral regurgitation (MR) and significantly improved heart function in the patient, without the need for cardiac bypass support and with no procedural complications.

Intervention may improve post-ACS medication adherence

Adherence to medication regimens among patients discharged after acute coronary syndrome (ACS) improved through the use of a multifaceted intervention, a study published in the February issue of JAMA Internal Medicine found. However, blood pressure levels and levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol did not improve.

Heart societies hail CVS decision to end tobacco sales

Cardiovascular societies praised CVS Caremark’s decision to phase out sales of tobacco products at its stores over the next year.

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