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.

cardiologist patient heart compensation starting salary 2022 interventional cardiologist

LBBAP limits hospital readmissions after TAVR

Left bundle branch area pacing is associated with better long-term outcomes than traditional right ventricular pacing when patients require PPMI after TAVR, according to new research in Heart Rhythm

heart surgery surgeons

SAVR associated with several long-term benefits for patients with asymptomatic severe AS

The current evidence suggests early surgery is a better treatment option for asymptomatic severe AS than conservative care, researchers explained.

Balloon-expandable transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) valves that fail to expand symmetrically may be associated with worse hemodynamic data, according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Asymmetrical valve expansion after TAVR a cause for concern

Calcified debris can sometimes lead to stent frame issues that cause a patient's TAVR valve to expand asymmetrically. Few studies have explored the potential impact of valve asymmetry—until now. 

Royal Philips has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its new 160-cm LumiGuide endovascular navigation wire, which uses the company’s popular Fiber Optic RealShape (FORS) technology to deliver real-time 3D visualization without the use of fluoroscopy.

FDA approves longer LumiGuide 3D navigation wire from Philips

The newly approved device comes in at 160 cm. Like the shorter LumiGuide device from Philips, it was designed to deliver real-time 3D visualization with light instead of X-rays. 

A demonstration of SenitAR's augmented reality (AR) technology for electrophysiology lab procedures during the Heart Rhythm Society 2024 meeting. This is one of at least six FDA-cleared clinical AR and virtual reality applications that aimed at enhancing cardiology workflow and patient outcomes. Photo by Dave Fornell

A glimpse into the future: FDA has cleared multiple AR, VR tools for cardiology

Heart teams already have access to several augmented reality and virtual reality offerings, and many more are on the way.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

FDA clears AI platform for planning ahead of TAVR, other heart procedures

The cloud-based platform identifies and measures cardiac structures in CT scans.

Abbott has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system designed to treat tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

TRILUMINATE update: TEER with Abbott’s TriClip device still safe, effective after 3 years

Treatment with TriClip has been consistently associated with minimal adverse events and significant improvements in quality of life. This latest update represents data from nearly 100 patients three years after implantation.  

Thumbnail

‘An excellent outcome’: TAVR safe and effective for patients in their nineties

Bleeding and vascular complications were more common, but one-year outcomes confirmed patients in their nineties should still be considered for TAVR.

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.

Trimed Popup
Trimed Popup