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.

Shockwave Medical’s new coronary IVL catheter, now twice as fast, impresses after 30 days
The new-look device was designed to deliver 10 pulses to severely calcified coronary lesions in five seconds. Early data linked the catheter with positive 30-day safety and effectiveness outcomes.
Medtronic to acquire medtech company Scientia Vascular for $550M
Scientia Vascular, a Salt Lake City-based medtech company focused on developing new vascular devices, was founded in 2007 and has more than 300 employees.
Next-generation guide extension catheter delivers value during complex PCI
The CrossFAST system was successfully used to deploy multiple stents after other devices fell short.
Moderate valve oversizing during TAVR boosts survival—too much may be less beneficial
Oversizing transcatheter heart valves can improve TAVR outcomes. There is still a reason to be cautious, however, especially when patients are receiving a balloon-expandable valve.
Cardiology now has more than 200 FDA-cleared AI algorithms
Cardiology is No. 2 behind radiology when it comes to FDA-cleared AI algorithms. Neurology, meanwhile, is a distant No. 3.

Shockwave Medical’s new coronary IVL catheter, now twice as fast, impresses after 30 days

The new-look device was designed to deliver 10 pulses to severely calcified coronary lesions in five seconds. Early data linked the catheter with positive 30-day safety and effectiveness outcomes.

Medtronic to acquire medtech company Scientia Vascular for $550M

Scientia Vascular, a Salt Lake City-based medtech company focused on developing new vascular devices, was founded in 2007 and has more than 300 employees.

Angiography demonstrates a high-grade, modestly angulated stenosis (arrow) in the proximal segment of a large diagonal branch (A). Predilation performed with difficulty, and the GEC could not be advanced beyond stenosis even with “inch worming” techniques. (B). Advancement of the CrossFAST (C) beyond the proximal stent edge stenosis (a.), the position of the distal end of the outer catheter (b.), and the microcatheter tip (c.) are indicated.

Next-generation guide extension catheter delivers value during complex PCI

The CrossFAST system was successfully used to deploy multiple stents after other devices fell short.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Moderate valve oversizing during TAVR boosts survival—too much may be less beneficial

Oversizing transcatheter heart valves can improve TAVR outcomes. There is still a reason to be cautious, however, especially when patients are receiving a balloon-expandable valve.

Ligence Heart is a recently FDA cleared AI that fully automates analyses, measurements and reporting for transthoracic echo.

Cardiology now has more than 200 FDA-cleared AI algorithms

Cardiology is No. 2 behind radiology when it comes to FDA-cleared AI algorithms. Neurology, meanwhile, is a distant No. 3.

High-sensitivity troponin protocol most successful at freestanding EDs

Freestanding EDs demonstrated meaningful operational advantages over hospitals when using an accelerated troponin pathway. This included earlier discharges for low-risk chest pain patients.

Cardiologists develop new AI screening tool for structural heart disease

Researchers have developed an advanced AI model capable of detecting signs of severe AS, mitral regurgitation and other complications in ECG results. For example, one 84-year-old patient who was hospitalized for a fractured femur ended up being scanned and treated with TAVR just days later.

World’s first polymeric TAVR valve impresses cardiologists—could improve durability, reduce costs

The new-look TAVR system was linked to multiple benefits after one year. The cardiologists evaluating this device belief it could significantly reduce the risk of long-term valve degeneration.