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 mitral regurgitation with transcatheter mitral edge-to-edge repair (TEER) using the MitraClip device is associated with a low risk of cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs) such as stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA), according to new data published in The American Journal of Cardiology.[1]

TEER with Abbott’s MitraClip linked to low stroke risk, new study confirms

Treating severe MR with the popular device does not appear to increase a patient's risk of stroke or transient ischemic attack. When patients present with AFib, however, care teams may want to make certain adjustments to optimize outcomes. 

Boston Scientific's Sentinel Cerebral Protection System during a TAVR procedure

Cerebral protection during TAVR linked to lower risk of major stroke, other key benefits

Using a cerebral protection device during TAVR was associated with lower readmission rates, shorter hospital stays—and, yes, a lower risk of patients suffering a major stroke. A team of specialists with Cleveland Clinic shared their new findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Cardiovalve heart valve transfemoral TMVR TTVR

Cardiologists first in world to use new heart valve for TMVR, TTVR on same patient

Identical Cardiovalve systems were used to perform the procedures 18 months apart on a high-risk heart patient. 

Medtronic CoreValve TAVR first-generation transcatheter heart valve

First-generation Medtronic TAVR valves linked to strong outcomes after 12 years

Researchers tracked the long-term safety, effectiveness and durability of first-generation CoreValve devices in nearly 900 patients.

Echocardiography vs CT for Prediction of Newly Created LVOT Area during TMVR

3D echo comparable to CT for predicting TMVR complications

LVOT obstruction after TMVR remains a significant concern among structural heart cardiologists. Predicting the risk of LVOT obstruction typically requires CT, which comes with certain disadvantages compared to other imaging options.

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Stroke after TAVR in AFib patients: Key risk factors cardiologists should know

Reviewing a patient's medical history can help care teams select the optimal post-TAVR oral anticoagulation strategy.

merger acquisition M&A business

Edwards Lifesciences agrees to acquire JenaValve, Endotronix for $1.2B

While JenaValve is known for its Trilogy Heart Valve System, a device designed specifically to treat aortic regurgitation, Endotronix specializes in developing heart failure technologies. The news comes after Edwards sold its critical care business for $4.2 billion in June, saying it would double down on its structural heart portfolio. 

healthcare value value-based care money dollar

Cardiology Funding Roundup: Cardurion, Kestra, TRiCares all secure key investments

Businesses in the cardiovascular health space have been busy in recent weeks, announcing one big financing round after another. 

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.