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.

older patient with a doctor at their house

Ross procedure still linked to ‘excellent’ outcomes as patients enter third decade after surgery

Researchers focused on more than 100 patients who underwent the Ross procedure from 1994 to 2001, sharing their findings in JAMA Cardiology.

PHOTO GALLERY: Interventional cardiology technologies at TCT 2023

Browse through some of the many highlights from TCT 2023 in San Francisco.

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Surgeons warn it is too early to recommend a TAVR-first strategy for low-risk patients

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery say more information is still required before any conclusions can be made about the long-term benefits of TAVR in low-risk patients.

Video of Kendra Grubb discussing transcatheter tricuspid and mitral advancements at TCT 2023.

Key trends in transcatheter tricuspid and mitral valve technologies

The mitral valve has been an especially challenging target for transcatheter interventions, but there are reasons to think key breakthroughs are on the horizon. We talked to Kendra Grubb, MD, about this and other ongoing trends at TCT 2023. 

Kendra Grubb discusses TAVR vs SAVR and the most recent data to explain choices with patients.

TAVR or SAVR? Where things stand now, from a surgeon's perspective

Kendra Grubb, MD, one of the country's leading experts on cardiac surgery, discussed what she tells her patients when they ask if TAVR is better than SAVR for treating severe aortic stenosis. 

Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic, explains the WATCH TAVR study results that combined LAAO with transcatheter aortic valve replacement at TCT 2023. #TCT2023 #TAVR #Watchman #LAAO

TAVR and LAAO at the same time? Samir Kapadia breaks down the WATCH-TAVR trial

Could this late-breaking clinical trial from TCT 2023 be a sign of things to come in the years ahead? Samir Kapadia, MD, explored the topic in a new interview. 

TAVR patients with cancer face higher risks of hospital readmission, serious bleeding

Short-term mortality, however, does not appear to change when TAVR patients present with active cancer. 

Video of Michael Reardon, MD, explaining details from the Evolute Low Risk 4-year results at TCT 2023.

TAVR triumphs over surgery: Exploring 4-year data from the Evolut Low Risk trial

Michael Reardon, MD, discussed his team's late-breaking results at TCT 2023 in San Francisco. 

Around the web

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

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

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