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.

Cardiology pioneer Thomas Fogarty dies as 91
Fogarty created many inventions that fundamentally changed cardiac surgical practice. He also received the Presidential Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in 2014.
TAVR remains a viable treatment strategy for cancer patients
Improvements in care have resulted in a growing number of patients who go on to be diagnosed with both cancer and severe aortic stenosis. TAVR appears to be an effective treatment option for those individuals, and it may help them go on to receive life-saving cancer therapies.
Why Shockwave Medical is so excited about the future of intravascular lithotripsy
Nick West, MD, Shockwave Medical's chief medical officer, detailed how the company is continuing to push IVL technologies forward. "We are leading the space ... we have no intention of giving up that position," he said.
FDA confirms new recall after catheter sheath was left in patient’s body
This is a Class I recall, which means the FDA believes these devices could cause a serious injury or death.
W. L. Gore & Associates to acquire medtech company behind foam-based LAAO system
Conformal Medical developed its CLAAS technology to help patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation reduce their risk of stroke without the use of anticoagulants. Back in August, the company raised $32 million to help ramp up research on the device.

Cancer patients who undergo PCI face a higher risk of early mortality

Overall, PCI patients appear to face a higher risk of in-hospital mortality, 30-day mortality and in-hospital cardiovascular mortality if they present with an active or historical cancer diagnosis. The group's analysis included data from nearly 6.6 million patients.

Three systems for left ventricular pacing during TAVR, modified TAVR valve delivery wire, the Opsens Savvy wire, and the Teleflex Wattson wire.

VIDEO: Use of temporary left ventricular pacing during TAVR procedures

Philippe Genereux, MD, medical director of the structural heart disease program at Morristown Medical Center, discusses the various options used for temporary pacing of the heart during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures.

Cardiologists make history, becoming first to use FDA-cleared retrieval device to remove a heart tumor

The historic procedure took approximately 30 minutes, and the patient went home that same day.

Moderate aortic stenosis linked to a significant risk of death—should earlier interventions be considered?

Researchers tracked data from more than 12,000 moderate AS patients who originally participated in one of 25 different studies. While the findings seem to suggest earlier treatment could be beneficial for certain high-risk patients, additional research is still required.

Boston Scientific acquires startup behind new FDA-cleared embolization technology

The new hydrogel material was designed to immediately conform to the patient's body and create a barrier.

Harry Lee Page, Jr., MD, a veteran cardiologist who helped pioneer many modern interventional techniques, died on August 11 after a long illness. He was 88 years old. SCAI

‘The end of an era’: Influential cardiologist, dead at 88, made a lasting impact

“We are so fortunate to have had fearless luminaries such as Harry Page at the helm of our profession,” SCAI President Sunil V. Rao, MD, said in a statement.

Transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVr) is associated with “promising” short-term outcomes among patients with a history of cancer, according to new research published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

Risk of death increases when TEER patients present with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

A team of Cleveland Clinic researchers tracked data from nearly 23,000 patients, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

Pre-procedure CT imaging benefits LAA occlusion in Henry Ford study

There is not agreement among the top structural heart experts if CT is required for left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO), but a Henry Ford Hospital study shows it can improve outcomes.

Interventional Cardiology

Cardiology pioneer Thomas Fogarty dies as 91

TAVR remains a viable treatment strategy for cancer patients

Why Shockwave Medical is so excited about the future of intravascular lithotripsy

FDA confirms new recall after catheter sheath was left in patient’s body

W. L. Gore & Associates to acquire medtech company behind foam-based LAAO system