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.

SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves
BAV patients are often excluded from TAVR trials, creating uncertainty about the best way to treat that population when aortic valve replacement is required. To learn more, researchers tracked CMS data from 2018 to 2022, presenting their findings in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Intravascular lithotripsy technology now a top priority for many healthcare companies
After the significant success of Shockwave Medical's IVL therapy to break up heavily calcified vessels without trauma, there are now several companies working on their own IVL devices.
SCAI president reviews achievements in interventional cardiology in 2024
SCAI President James Hermiller, MD, recently outlined the key achievements for 2024, including creation of the first interventional cardiology match program, successful advocacy and efforts to increase women in the field.
Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks
While the technology and techniques associated with TAVR have advanced over the years, treating patients who present with baseline atrial fibrillation is still associated with certain risks.
Industry concerns over paclitaxel-coated devices may have put PAD patients at risk
Back in 2019, the FDA issued a warning about the use of paclitaxel-coated devices when treating peripheral artery disease. The agency took back that warning in 2023, but it appears to have made a significant impact on patient care.

VISION: 75% of deaths after noncardiac surgery due to cardiovascular complications

Late-breaking results from the VISION study, presented early this week at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC)’s annual symposium, found nearly three-quarters of patient deaths after noncardiac surgery can be attributed to cardiovascular causes.

August 29, 2018

1-year outcomes still support culprit-only PCI for cardiogenic shock

For patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) complicated by cardiogenic shock, stenting only the culprit lesion showed a trend toward improved one-year survival when compared to multivessel PCI, according to the latest results of the CULPRIT-SHOCK trial presented at the European Society of Cardiology Congress in Munich.

August 27, 2018

Distal protection reduces no-reflow phenomenon among select PCI patients

Intravascular ultrasound may help identify patients who will benefit most from distal protection during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

August 24, 2018

‘Averting’ contrast fails to limit AKI after coronary angiography

The Avert system successfully reduced contrast media volume but failed to trim the risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) following coronary angiography, according to a trial published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

August 22, 2018

ORBITA researchers show physiological benefit of PCI for stable CAD

The same investigators who ignited debate among interventional cardiologists with the ORBITA trial in November 2017 have now published a small study highlighting the ability of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) to immediately reduce ischemia and boost patients’ exercise capacity.

August 21, 2018

CLI revascularization techniques are more cost-effective, associated with longer survival than amputation

Revascularization techniques to treat primary critical limb ischemia (CLI) may be more cost-effective and associated with longer survival than primary major amputation, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

August 15, 2018

Rapid reperfusion with PCI protects STEMI patients from heart failure

Shorter reperfusion times for patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are associated with fewer cases of in-hospital heart failure and fewer readmissions for heart failure over the next 30 days, according to an observational study from Singapore published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.

August 9, 2018

FFR, iFR ‘equally valid’ in guiding revascularization decisions

Instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) and fractional flow reserve (FFR) were equally safe in deferring patients from coronary revascularization, according to a pooled analysis of two randomized trials published Aug. 6 in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

August 8, 2018

Interventional Cardiology

SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves

Intravascular lithotripsy technology now a top priority for many healthcare companies

SCAI president reviews achievements in interventional cardiology in 2024

Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks

Industry concerns over paclitaxel-coated devices may have put PAD patients at risk