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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What peridevice leaks after LAAO mean for patient health

The study's authors reviewed data from more than 50,000 patients, presenting their findings in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.

Resheathing heart valves during TAVR does not increase risk of complications

Researchers tracked both short- and long-term outcomes, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

NOACs comparable to warfarin when treating AFib patients with valvular heart disease

Researchers examined the clinical impact of treating valvular AFib with dabigatran instead of warfarin. 

7 ways cath labs can work through the contrast media shortage without delays

When the ongoing contrast media shortage first started impacting health systems, one group in Ohio pledged not to delay a single procedure in its cath labs.

COPD patients benefit from TAVR—but there are some significant risks to consider

When discussing the possibility of TAVR for a patient with COPD, it is crucial to consider the severity of their symptoms.  

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) is associated with “promising” short-term outcomes among patients with a history of cancer, according to new research published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

'Promising' new data on TMVr among cancer patients

The study's authors examined data from nearly 23,000 patients who underwent transcatheter mitral valve repair from 2014 to 2018. 

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TAVR vs. surgery among children and young adults with congenital heart disease

Though TAVR was once never considered a treatment option for younger patients, it is becoming more common as time goes on. 

Charles D. Fraser, Jr., MD, executive director of the new Institute for Cardiovascular Health, a collaboration between Ascension Texas and the University of Texas at Austin, including its Dell Medical School. This new, state-of-the-art cardiology program fully integrates all the cardiac subspecialties to create a comprehensive heart team approach in treating patients.

VIDEO: Creating an integrated heart team program in central Texas

Charles D. Fraser, Jr., MD, executive director of the new Institute for Cardiovascular Health in Austin, Texas, discusses the facility's new, state-of-the-art cardiology program.

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