Professional Associations

This page includes news coverage of medical associations and medical societies. Use these links to find focused news coverage from specific organizations: Cardiology Associations, Healthcare Associations, Radiology Associations.

HFSA 2023 image courtesy of the Heart Failure Society of America

HFSA announces late-breaking research for 2024 annual meeting

In addition to more traditional presentations, this year's meeting will also include "Rapid Fire" sessions designed to pack a lot of late-breaking data into a relatively small amount of time.

Pausing oral anticoagulation during TAVR reduces bleeding risk

The findings, based on data from more than 800 TAVR patients, suggest that skipping OAC medications for a small amount of time could make a big impact.

OCT-guided PCI, or optical coherence tomography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

OCT-guided PCI boosts outcomes when treating complex lesions

When PCI patients present with complex lesions, optical coherence tomography may provide significant value.

PCI interventional cardiology

PCI before TAVR a winning combination for many heart patients

“No clear recommendation currently exists in U.S. or European guidelines for performing PCI in addition to TAVR,” researchers wrote. The group hoped its study could provide some clarity. 

The SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3U) transcatheter heart valve from Edwards Lifesciences is

TAVR outperforms SAVR when treating women, historic all-female trial confirms

The study, presented at ESC Congress 2024 in London, confirmed that TAVR was associated with significantly better outcomes than surgery when treating female patients. 

The MODULAR ATP study demonstrated a high rate of successful leadless pacemaker implantation with few complications and stable pacing parameters. The system uses the Emblem Subcutaneous Implantable Defibrillator (S-ICD) System and the new Empower Leadless Pacemaker from Boston Scientific.

Completely leadless cardiac rhythm management system impresses

According to new MODULAR ATP data, the leadless system was associated with a high success rate and few complications. Boston Scientific plans on seeking FDA approval in 2025. 

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

TAVR complication rates keep falling, highlighting considerable progress

Complications are also down after SAVR, researchers noted, though the drop has been much more dramatic for TAVR patients. The new analysis was based on Medicare data from more than 210,000 patients.

Heart attack patients see no benefits from stopping long-term beta-blocker therapy

Should patients stay on beta-blockers more than one year after a heart attack? The team behind the ABYSS clinical trial explored that very question, presenting its data at ESC Congress 2024.

Around the web

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.

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