Interventional Cardiology

This cardiac subspecialty uses minimally invasive, catheter-based technologies in a cath lab to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease (CAD). The main focus in on percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) to revascularize patients with CAD that is causing blockages resulting in ischemia or myocardial infarction. PCI mainly consists of angioplasty and implanting stents. Interventional cardiology has greatly expanded in scope over recent years to include a number of transcatheter structural heart interventions.

Interventional cardiologists implant new-look heart device for first time in US
The Amend device from Valcare Medical has a closed ring shape similar to the annuloplasty rings used to treat MR during open-heart surgeries. These early patients will be followed for a total of five years.
IVL may be safer than atherectomy in patients with severely calcified lesions
Researchers explored data from more than 1,000 patients with calcified coronary artery disease who required plaque modification. IVL and atherectomy were linked to comparable success rates, but adverse events were less likely with IVL.
Joint Commission partners with STS, ACC on new cardiac care certification
The new certification is focused on the importance of high-quality care and real-world patient outcomes. It will be based on the same data care teams already submit if they participate in the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, ACC CathPCI Registry or STS/ACC TVT Registry.
TMVR device with valve-in-ring design gains key approval
HighLife's new-look TMVR technology was designed to treat a wide range of patients. The two-part implant process includes a ring and a valve that centers itself inside that ring.
Cardiologist highlights key differences between OBLs and ASCs
Current payment policies have health systems and physicians all over the country looking to learn more about these two business models.

Valcare Medical’s Amend Transseptal System for mitral regurgitation

Interventional cardiologists implant new-look heart device for first time in US

The Amend device from Valcare Medical has a closed ring shape similar to the annuloplasty rings used to treat MR during open-heart surgeries. These early patients will be followed for a total of five years.

The use of intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is still safe and effective when patients present with calcified nodules (CNs), according to new long-term data published in EuroIntervention.[1] Researchers compared outcomes from patients with and without CNs, highlighting key similarities in stent expansion and luminal gain.

IVL may be safer than atherectomy in patients with severely calcified lesions

Researchers explored data from more than 1,000 patients with calcified coronary artery disease who required plaque modification. IVL and atherectomy were linked to comparable success rates, but adverse events were less likely with IVL.

Joint Commission partners with STS, ACC on new cardiac care certification

The new certification is focused on the importance of high-quality care and real-world patient outcomes. It will be based on the same data care teams already submit if they participate in the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, ACC CathPCI Registry or STS/ACC TVT Registry.

HighLife Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) System

TMVR device with valve-in-ring design gains key approval

HighLife's new-look TMVR technology was designed to treat a wide range of patients. The two-part implant process includes a ring and a valve that centers itself inside that ring.

Samir B. Pancholy, MD, chief interventional cardiologist, Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, discusses the differences in the business models for office based labs (OBL) vs ambulatory surgical centers (ASC) and choosing the right model cardiovascular and vascular procedures. #TCT #SCAI #OBL #ASC

Cardiologist highlights key differences between OBLs and ASCs

Current payment policies have health systems and physicians all over the country looking to learn more about these two business models.

old woman or doctor shaking hands with patient

Patients with paradoxical low-flow, low gradient AS linked to higher mortality rate after TAVR

Patients with this specific subtype of severe aortic stenosis, which can sometimes be challenging to diagnose, face a number of additional risks.

Advances in calcified coronary plaque modification are increasingly centered on intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) because the technology reduces complications such as vessel trauma and perforation associated with traditional high-pressure balloons or atherectomy techniques. Cardiovascular Business spoke with Samin K. Sharma, MD, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital Cardiovascular Clinical Institute, recently about the advances in IVL. #IVL #TCT

Exploring major trends as IVL keeps evolving

Intravascular lithotripsy is expected to see even wider adoption when lower-profile catheters are introduced and device costs start to drop, explained Samin Sharma, MD.

The Boston Scientific Seismiq intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system entered commercial use in the U.S. in January 2026.

IVL competition heats up as Boston Scientific enters US market

Shockwave Medical, now a part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, sits at the top of the IVL market, but things are starting to get more competitive. Boston Scientific gained its own IVL system when it acquired Bolt Medical in 2025.