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.

Treating atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR) with surgery may be more beneficial than medical therapy alone, according to new data published in JAMA Network Open.[1]

Atrial functional mitral regurgitation: Surgery improves outcomes more than medical therapy alone

"These findings underscore the importance of understanding AFMR and its treatment options," one cardiologist said.

AISAP, an Israeli healthcare technology company focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance medical imaging results, has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for its new point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) software platform, AISAP Cardio.

FDA clears AI-powered POCUS platform for structural heart disease, heart failure

The cloud-based platform was designed to help even inexperienced users scan and diagnose a majority of common heart issues within minutes without leaving the patient’s side.

TAVR planning with GE Healthcare's Valve Assist 2 technology

TAVR planning with valve-sizing software: GE Healthcare tech easier to use than competition

Planning ahead of TAVR procedures with semi-automated sizing software helps cardiologists match each patient with the best device possible; not undersized or oversized, but something in the middle that would make Goldilocks proud.

Interventional cardiologists in Canada have performed the world’s first implant of a new coronary sinus reducer designed to treat chest pain patients who see no benefits from other available interventional or surgical treatments. The A-Flux Reducer System was designed and developed by VahatiCor, a new medical device company associated with California-based T45 Labs.

Cardiologists detail world’s first implant of new device for ‘no-option’ chest pain patients

The A-Flux Reducer System by VahatiCor was designed to “conform seamlessly” to any patient’s anatomy, and it can be repositioned or retrieved as necessary.

healthcare business deal

Edwards continues valve-focused M&A streak by acquiring promising TAVR startup

The move makes it crystal clear that Edwards remains focused on pursuing advanced TAVR technologies. The company just acquired JenaValve, another company dedicated to developing new AR treatments, back in July.

first-in-man valve-in-valve caval valve implantation

Cardiologists perform world’s first valve-in-valve caval valve procedure in heart transplant patient

A care team in Germany has completed what may be the first structural heart procedure of its kind on a high-risk patient. It started as a straightforward heterotopic caval valve implantation, but then paravalvular leak resulted in a change of plans. 

Left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) with the Watchman FLX device from Boston Scientific is associated with positive outcomes and limited adverse events after one year, according to new findings published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.[1] Many prior Watchman FLX studies, including PINNACLE FLX, had focused on the device’s performance in a controlled setting. The study’s authors hoped to gain a better understanding of its real-world impact by reviewing registry data from more than 97,000 U.S

LAAO with Watchman FLX associated with positive 1-year outcomes, real-world data confirm

Researchers hoped to gain a better understanding of the device's real-world impact by reviewing registry data from more than 97,000 U.S. patients. Overall, the Watchman FLX was linked to positive data and limited adverse events one year after treatment. 

The J-Valve manufactured by JC Medical, a Genesis MedTech company, includes a self-expanding nitinol frame, bovine pericardial leaflets and three anchor rings designed to assist operators with alignment. Its delivery system was built with transfemoral access in mind, and JC Medical plans to offer the valve in five different sizes.

New TAVR valve for native aortic regurgitation linked to positive 30-day outcomes

The J Valve from JC Medical was linked to positive outcomes and “excellent” hemodynamic data after 30 days in an early feasibility study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Researchers noted that the valve showed potential in patients with large aortic annuli, which represents an "unmet critical need" at this stage. 

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.