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.

Resilia tissue developed by Edwards Lifesciences linked to long-term benefits
Researchers tracked nearly 1,000 SAVR patients, presenting eight-year data at the Heart Valve Society’s annual meeting in Cairo, Egypt.
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.
Cardiologist-founded startup announces FDA clearance, first uses of new TAVR pacing system
“The device takes variability out of the procedure by giving the operator full control while automating ramp-up and back-up algorithms," according to a clinician who used the new technology. "The TAVR procedure is simplified, reducing physician and staff workload."
Death after 1 year more common for real-world low-risk TAVR patients than those treated in clinical trials
Real-world patients were still associated with "excellent" outcomes, but it is important for cardiologists and patients alike to know as much as possible about the odds of survival following treatment.
FDA clears catheter-based 4D visualization platform for complex heart procedures
The new technology from LUMA Vision allows operators to deliver 2D and 4D ultrasound images in real time. The advanced catheter was built with maneuverability and increased visibility in mind.

TBI donor hearts found viable for transplant

Using donor hearts from patients who died of traumatic brain injury might be a more viable option for transplant candidates than previously thought, according to an analysis published in the Journal of the American Heart Association Aug. 30.

Jewish Hospital scraps plan to suspend heart transplant program

KentuckyOne Health is nixing its month-old plan to inactivate its heart transplant program at Jewish Hospital in Louisville, instead opting to work with the University of Louisville to keep the program alive.

Simvastatin protects donor hearts against ischemic damage

A single dose of the lipid-lowerer simvastatin, delivered to an organ donor pre-heart transplant, could decrease postoperative troponin levels in transplant recipients and protect the donor heart against perioperative myocardial ischemic damage.

Pig-to-human heart transplants could be a reality in 3 years

Pig hearts injected with microRNA-199 could be suitable for human transplants within three years, according to an international group of researchers.

Off-pump CABG falls short for patients with left main disease

Compared to on-pump CABG, off-pump surgery is associated with lower rates of revascularization and a significantly increased risk of all-cause death at three years, according to an analysis of the EXCEL trial.

Motivation key to post-PCI recovery among women

The results of a Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing study suggest motivation is the key driver of adherence to secondary prevention measures among women who have CHD and have undergone PCI.

Endovascular-first approach boosts amputation-free survival in patients with critical limb ischemia

Patients with critical limb ischemia might be better off if they opt for endovascular-first treatment over an open surgical bypass, a Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes study suggests.

Surgery fails to improve survival in those with severe TR

Surgery doesn’t improve survival in patients with isolated severe tricuspid regurgitation, researchers have found.

Interventional Cardiology

Resilia tissue developed by Edwards Lifesciences linked to long-term benefits

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

Cardiologist-founded startup announces FDA clearance, first uses of new TAVR pacing system

Death after 1 year more common for real-world low-risk TAVR patients than those treated in clinical trials

FDA clears catheter-based 4D visualization platform for complex heart procedures