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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E-cigarettes can help smokers quit—but do not use them casually, researchers warn

The combination of e-cigarettes containing nicotine and 12 weeks of counseling can help smokers quit more effectively than counseling alone.

TAVR outcomes worse than expected at 11% of US facilities

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes have been worse than expected for 11% of healthcare providers in the United States, according to a new analysis of data from 2015 to 2017.

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TAVR ‘viable and safe’ for patients with a bicuspid valve

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures with a self-expanding artificial valve are “very viable and safe” for low-risk patients with a bicuspid aortic valve, according to new research that tracked the outcomes of 150 patients.

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Canadian cardiologists perform world’s 1st minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement

Physicians at St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health Toronto in Canada announced this month that they’d completed the world’s first minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement with success.

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Mount Sinai launches ultra-specialized CHD center

Mount Sinai has launched an Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center at Mount Sinai Heart in New York in an attempt to streamline CHD care throughout the life cycle.

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Patients find long-term migraine relief after PFO closure

A study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions this month found that patients who suffer from migraines may find long-term relief after transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure.

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Child’s odds of surviving CHD contingent on community’s wealth

The largest comprehensive study of congenital heart disease to date has revealed that, despite an overall decline in mortality over the past few decades, a child’s odds of surviving a CHD diagnosis hinge on the economic health of their community.

Study reveals similar 5-year outcomes for TAVR, SAVR

An analysis of PARTNER 2 data published in the New England Journal of Medicine Jan. 29 suggests five-year post-op outcomes are similar among heart patients who undergo either transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement.

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Around the web

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Use of AI opportunistic screening in CT for cardiovascular disease

Ron Blankstein, MD, professor of radiology, Harvard Medical School, explains the use of artificial intelligence to detect heart disease in non-cardiac CT exams.

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New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.