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.

PCI use, survival trending up for elderly STEMI patients with cardiogenic shock

Percutaneous coronary intervention is being offered to a greater proportion of older adults with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) complicated by cardiogenic shock over the past two decades—a trend that’s been paralleled by declining mortality rates, according to a study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

ICUs overused for STEMI patients

More than 80% of stable patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) are treated in the intensive care unit despite only 16% of them experiencing complications that require an ICU stay, according to a U.S. registry analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Domestic tasks take harsher toll on proceduralist moms’ career satisfaction

Domestic responsibilities put a damper on career satisfaction for proceduralist mothers more than for physician mothers in nonprocedural specialties, suggests a study published April 10 in JAMA Surgery.

Comic illustrations enhance informed consent before coronary angiography

A new pilot study out of Germany suggests a comic-style graphic supplement can improve the informed consent process before coronary angiography by putting patients at ease and helping them understand the procedure.

FDA approves therapy to reduce infarct size in LAD STEMI after PCI

Once the artery has been opened with PCI, the treatment involves mixing a patient’s own blood with oxygenated saline and then infusing that superoxygenated mixture to the targeted ischemic area for 60 minutes.

Colorado 2nd state to require surgical smoke evacuation systems

Colorado became the second state to pass legislation requiring surgical smoke evacuation systems at hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers on March 28, when Gov. Jared Polis signed the bill into law. Rhode Island passed a similar law in June 2018.

The War on Cardiogenic Shock Gains a New Sense of Urgency

To conquer STEMI’s “last frontier,” cardiologists are tapping into an evolving arsenal of strategies while calling for more data and standardized definitions to guide treating physicians.

Post-PCI changes in FFR predict outcomes, symptomatic improvement

Tracking patients’ changes in fractional flow reserve (FFR) from before to after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) may provide useful information, according to new research published in JAMA Cardiology. Individuals with the greatest change in FFR were less likely to experience vessel-related events and demonstrated greater symptomatic relief.

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