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.

The DurAVR transcatheter heart valve (THV), developed by Minnesota-based Anteris Technologies

New biomimetic TAVR valve, the first of its kind, linked to strong performance after 1 year

The DurAVR transcatheter heart valve, developed by Minnesota-based Anteris Technologies, was designed to move and perform like a healthy, pre-disease native aortic valve.

Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve

Medtronic’s Harmony TPV system linked to ‘encouraging’ 1-year outcomes in new pooled analysis

The new study, based on “the largest cohort to date of Harmony TPV recipients," was published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Abbott TriClip device for TEER

EuroPCR 2023: Late-breaking research examines the latest in TEER, TAVR and PCI outcomes

Catch up on key late-breaking research from Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences and Philips presented at the four-day meeting in Paris. 

Innovation in the cath lab: Cardiologists develop, perform new interventional heart procedure

Interventional cardiologists in Detroit developed the new technique with a specific patient in mind. One specialist described it as an "exciting breakthrough."

Mitral Valve Surgery from the University of Washington

Cardiologists make history, removing device and implanting new valve in first heart procedure of its kind

“I was ready to make out my will, so this came along just at the right time,” the 76-year-old patient said. 

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

TVT 2023: Cardiovascular Research Foundation announces late-breaking clinical trials

In addition to these 15 late-breaking clinical studies, TVT 2023 will feature live cases, hands-on training, poster presentations and much more.

Data on a next-generation balloon-expandable transcatheter heart valve

Next-gen TAVR valve, tested on patients for very first time, linked to high success rate

A new-look TAVR valve was tested on patients for the first time, leading researchers to say its use appears to be "feasible and safe." More research, of course, is still required. 

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Is TAVR too common among younger, low-risk patients? 2 experts share their concerns

Two experienced TAVR specialists—Sachin Goel, MD, and Michael Reardon, MD—examined the growing trend of younger, low-risk patients being recommended for TAVR over SAVR.

Around the web

One of the most formidable societies of medical professionals in the U.S. is going toe-to-toe with Robert F. Kennedy’s HHS over changing vaccination recommendations. 

Tom Price, MD, former secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), said one way to address the growing shortage of physicians is to expand medical resident positions, but these are tied to Medicare spending so alternative means may be needed.