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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PFO closure guards against recurrent stroke more than a decade later

A single-center study with more than a decade of follow-up supports the long-term efficacy of patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure for the prevention of recurrent ischemic events, showing only 1 percent of patients had an ischemic stroke and 2.9 percent experienced a transient ischemic attack.

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CKD linked to development of aortic stenosis, even at milder stages

Chronic kidney disease (CKD), even in its moderate stages, is associated with an increased risk of aortic stenosis, according to research published ahead of print in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

The Cephea transcatheter mitral valve in development has been acquired by Medtronic.

Abbott acquires another TMVR device through purchase of Cephea

Abbott plans to acquire Cephea Valve Technologies, a company developing a transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) device, the Chicago-area healthcare giant announced Jan. 16.

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Florida college launches country’s 1st open heart surgery program for dogs

The University of Florida College of Veterinary Medicine has partnered with veterinary cardiologist Masami Uechi, DVM, PhD, to launch the country’s first open heart surgery program for dogs later this year.

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Pea-sized PDA occluder approved for premature babies in US

The FDA has approved the Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder as a minimally invasive treatment option for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in newborns weighing as little as two pounds. According to its manufacturer, Abbott, it is the first such device in the world to be approved for babies so small.

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Study: Continued anticoagulation OK during TAVR for AFib patients

Patients with atrial fibrillation can safely continue oral anticoagulation (OAC) while undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), suggests a retrospective study published Jan. 7 in the American Journal of Cardiology.

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Surgery tops drug therapy in boosting CHD patients’ quality of life

Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) report better health-related quality of life (HRQoL) when treated with surgical or catheter interventions rather than drug therapy or surveillance, according to research published Jan. 8 in the American Journal of Cardiology.

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Surgical strategies, genetics affect tetralogy of Fallot survival

Almost 95 percent of patients survived 25 years after discharge for surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot without requiring a transplant, according to a U.S. registry study published in JAMA Cardiology. While this statistic highlights the “excellent” outcomes for this congenital heart condition, the report’s authors also identified areas for further improvement.

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