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.

Video interview with Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) President Srihari S. Naidu, MD, FACC, FAHA, MSCAI, explains the advancements in interventional cardiology the society has championed over the past year. #SCAI

Outgoing SCAI president reflects on a busy year full of partnerships and advocacy

SCAI President Srihari S. Naidu, MD, a veteran interventional cardiologist, made a major impact on the group—and cardiology as a whole—over the last 12 months. 

Protaryx Transseptal Puncture Device

FDA clears next-gen device for left-heart access

Early data linked the device with short crossing times, reduced fluoro exposure and no device-related adverse events.

AI lawsuit court legal

Heartflow sues cardiology AI rival Cleerly over alleged patent infringement

According to Heartflow, Cleerly's actions represent “one of the most egregious examples of piracy in the medical technology industry.” Cleerly commented on the lawsuit, defending the value and integrity of its products. 

AVS Pulse PIVL

Stryker enters competitive IVL space with acquisition of Amplitude Vascular Systems

Stryker, one of the world’s largest medtech companies, has agreed to acquire a rising name in the field of intravascular lithotripsy. 

Surgeons Operating On Patient

FDA shares warning about cath lab procedure kits due to risk of patient injury

The syringes included in several convenience kits should not be used due to a safety risk linked to multiple injuries.

Edwards Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement TTVR

PVL after TTVR linked to much lower survival rate, fewer clinical benefits

TTVR has made a major impact on heart patients all over the world. Just like aortic and mitral valve replacement, however, paravalvular leak is a serious complication that can lead to much worse outcomes.

William P. Shutze, MD, FACS, secretary of the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS), a vascular surgeon with Texas Vascular Associates in Plano, Texas, and a clinical associate professor of medicine at Texas A&M College of Medicine, explains the goals of the SVS quality assessment program.

SVS quality initiative gathers data to improve vascular care

More than 7,000 physicians from a wide variety of healthcare specialties are already participating in the project.

Post-TAVR bleeding in AFib patients much less common with apixaban than rivaroxaban

When it came to all-cause mortality and ischemic stroke, however, the two popular DOACs were associated with comparable outcomes.