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.

Third of CAD patients don't receive right combo of meds

Current guidelines recommend a patient-appropriate combination of antiplatelets, beta-blockers (BB), ACE inhibitors (ACEI)/ARB and statins to reduce the risk of MI and death from cardiac causes in all patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), but a study published online Oct. 30 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that more than one-third of these patients did not receive whatever combination would have been appropriate for them. Prescribing practices varied widely, leading to the discrepancies.

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TCT: CoreValve quality of life gains parallel PARTNER

SAN FRANCISCO—Patients in the CoreValve Extreme Risk trial experienced a magnitude of improvement in quality of life similar to PARTNER B, David Cohen, MD, said Oct. 29 at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference. For some, the procedure “reset the clock by 10 years.”

TCT: TAVR with CoreValve safe, effective

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) with the CoreValve device is safe and effective, according to results presented Oct. 29 at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) scientific session in San Francisco.

Better quality diet may lower post-MI mortality risk

Heart attack survivors who eat a better quality diet may decrease their likelihood of dying from any cause and from heart disease, according to a study published in the Oct. 28 issue of JAMA Internal Medicine.

Encouraging a healthy weight for a healthy heart

A healthy weight is the key to a healthy heart, and yet an estimated 1 out of 3 children is either overweight or obese in the U.S. During a special symposium Oct. 27 at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition in Orlando, pediatricians discussed obesity and cardiovascular risk factors, public health policy, and how physicians can partner with families to improve children's weight.

Boston Scientific receives CE Mark for Lotus™ Valve System

Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) has received CE Mark for the Lotus™ Valve System, the company's advanced transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) technology.  This key approval offers a unique and effective new treatment alternative for patients with severe aortic stenosis at high risk with surgical valve replacement.

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Flu shot may keep cardiovascular risk at bay

The drive to immunize people against flu received a shot in the arm with a meta-analysis published in the Oct. 23/30 issue of JAMA that found vaccine use was associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular complications.

FDA OKs MitraClip for inoperable patients

The FDA approved the MitraClip as a treatment for patients with mitral regurgitation who are considered too high risk for mitral valve surgery.

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

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