Cath Lab

The cardiac catheterization laboratory is used for diagnostic angiograms and percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Cath labs have also seen expanding use in recent years for transcatheter structural heart procedures. Some hospitals also share these labs with other subspecialties for catheter-based procedures in electrophysiology (EP), interventional radiology, peripheral artery disease (PAD), carotid and neuro interventional procedures and vascular surgery.

Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures
Consulting fees and other vendor payments do not appear to be directly influencing U.S. physicians to implant more Watchman devices. Researcher Alexander Kolomaya, MD, discussed his team's findings on this topic.
FDA warns that certain coronary imaging catheters are being removed from market over safety concerns
A catheter sheath detached during use and was left in the patient’s body. It was successfully removed, but the FDA said it is now evaluating the potential risk to others going forward. There is no official recall at this time.
Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence
The 55-year-old patient woke up experiencing chest pain one morning and an ambulance was called. He was dead just a few hours later. His family's lawsuit argued that delays in care, communication errors and other issues were directly responsible for his death.
FDA clears new device for enabling access to the heart’s surface without an exposed needle
CardioVia's ViaOne technology includes a blunt-tip needle that remains concealed to help interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists treat cardiac arrhythmias with a reduced risk of perforation or any other complications.
Choosing left radial access in the cath lab helps cardiologists limit radiation exposure
Using a left radial artery approach in the cath lab exposes interventional cardiologists to significantly less radiation than a hyper-adducted right radial artery approach. The difference is substantial enough for researchers to declare LRA "the primary access site for cardiac catheterization."

DOACs after TAVR may put some patients at risk, new meta-analysis suggests

The new study, based on data from nearly 3,000 patients, compared DOACs such as rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban with single and dual antiplatelet therapy.

SAVR after TAVR is rare, but linked to a high mortality risk

Researchers tracked data from more than 2,000 patients, noting that surgical bailout, infective endocarditis and paravalvular leak were the most common reasons for surgery to be required after TAVR. The full study was published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

TEER safe and feasible for patients with atrial secondary mitral regurgitation

Atrial secondary mitral regurgitation has been linked to higher in-hospital mortality and hospitalization rates.

Juan F. Granada, MD, president and chief executive officer of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) and assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, explains some of the highlights of the upcoming 2022 Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapies (TCT) conference sponsored by CRF. #TCT #TCT2022

VIDEO: Previewing TCT 2022 in Boston with Juan Granada

Juan F. Granada, MD, president and chief executive officer of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation, previewed TCT 2022 for us, detailing what attendees can expect to see at the big show in Boston.

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

TAVR patients with CAD face a greater risk of death—is PCI the answer?

All-cause mortality after five years is much more likely if a TAVR patient presents with CAD, according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

JenaValve raises $100M for its transfemoral TAVR system for severe aortic regurgitation

After finding success in Europe, the company is focused on gaining FDA approval for its Trilogy Heart Valve System and launching the device in the United States.

The Medtronic CoreValve Evolut and the Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 TAVR valves.

TAVR's success has changed how cardiologists and surgeons view aortic valve replacement

The standard-of-care thinking on TAVR has shifted from getting a valve implanted and managing immediate complications to looking decades down the road and considering the patient's long-term health.

The Abbott Cephea transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) system.

Cardiologist praises updated design of new TMVR system after historic interventional procedure

A care team with the Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute has shared details about its recent successes in TMVR and TAVR. Cardiologist Michael Rinaldi, MD, highlighted the importance of having "a coordinated team of specialists with expertise in treating valve diseases."

Cath Lab

Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures

FDA warns that certain coronary imaging catheters are being removed from market over safety concerns

Family of heart patient who died awarded $45M after suing health system for negligence

FDA clears new device for enabling access to the heart’s surface without an exposed needle

Choosing left radial access in the cath lab helps cardiologists limit radiation exposure