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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Heart cells keep a youthful profile

NBC News reported on a study in Genome Biology in which researchers studied aging of cells. The scientists proposed that some cells age more slowly than others, with cardiac cells clocking in as relative youngsters and tumor cells being the oldest of all. 

Beta-blocker may improve prognosis in patients with septic shock

The use of esmolol, a short-acting beta-blocker, was associated with a better prognosis in patients with septic shock when compared with standard treatment, a preliminary communication published Oct. 23/30 in JAMA reported.

FDA adds Opsumit to approved PAH drug list

The FDA approved macitentan as a treatment for adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH).

FDA reports tissue erosion with Amplatzer device

The FDA is warning physicians that heart tissue surrounding the St. Jude Medical Amplatzer atrial septal occluder can erode. That can lead to life-threatening emergencies that require immediate surgery, according to the FDA.

Cleveland Clinic names top 10 medical innovations for 2014

Cleveland Clinic today announced its eighth annual list of Top 10 Medical Innovations that will have a major impact on improving patient care within the next year. The list includes a bionic eye, a neurostimulator for epilepsy and fecal transplantation.

FDA panel not swayed by Vascepa’s results

An advisory committee for the FDA voted 9-2 against recommending approval of an expanded indication for Vascepa, a patented omega-3 fatty acid product.

Medicure announces approval of recommended dosing regimen for Aggrastat

Medicure Inc. ("Medicure" or the "Company") (TSXV:MPH, OTC:MCUJF.PK), is pleased to announce that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the AGGRASTAT (tirofiban HCl) high-dose bolus (HDB) regimen, as requested under Medicure's supplemental New Drug Application (sNDA). The AGGRASTAT HDB regimen (25 mcg/kg over 3 minutes, followed by 0.15 mcg/kg/min) now becomes the recommended dosing for the reduction of thrombotic cardiovascular events in patients with non-ST elevated acute coronary syndrome (NSTE-ACS).

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People living longer with cardiovascular disease, but at what cost?

Although people are living longer with cardiovascular disease, there are likely to be both economic costs and quality of life costs associated with the longer life span. According to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs, the combination of an aging population, the high prevalence of obesity and lower cardiovascular disease mortality will increase costs and lower quality of life.

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