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.

Thumbnail

TAVR-related bleeding complications plummet with protamine administration

Protamine administration during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is associated with a significant reduction in life-threatening and major bleeding complications.

Infective endocarditis after TAVR: 4 key findings from a new study of 7,000 patients

Infective endocarditis is a relatively rare complication of TAVR, but the infection can be fatal when it does strike.

Thumbnail

Patient access to TAVR centers: 3 key takeaways from a new study

Do patients in the United States have sufficient access to TAVR centers?

Thumbnail

Cardiologist sets sights on improving TAVR outcomes

A new study at the University of Cincinnati aims to find out why some TAVR patients experience clotting issues that can lead to substantial side effects.

Thumbnail

Conscious sedation associated with better TAVR outcomes than general anesthesia

The use of conscious sedation during transcatheter aortic valve replacement is associated with better patient outcomes, including a decrease in mortality, than general anesthesia.

Thumbnail

TAVR ‘a viable option’ for patients with bicuspid valve disease

TAVR is a safe, effective treatment for patients with bicuspid valves, according to research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Edwards valve repair system receives CE mark approval for tricuspid regurgitation

Edwards Lifesciences’ PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system has gained CE mark approval for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

 

Thumbnail

New Data Underscore Importance of Looking for HCM Before Scheduling TAVR

Reported in 2018 by anesthesiologists at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, the case suggested a message to TAVR operators: “Vigilance and a high degree of suspicion” are critical for avoiding the potentially severe hemodynamic consequences of HCM associated with aortic stenosis, the authors asserted (J Med Case Rep 2018;18;12[1]:372).

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.