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.

First 500 patients in Align-AR trial using TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation show strong outcomes
Raj Makkar, MD, Cedars-Sinai, explains the late-breaking data from the Align-AR trial on the first 500 patients treated for aortic regurgitation using the Jena Valve TAVR device.
5-year Evolut Low Risk Data: Durable clinical outcomes, outstanding valve performance
The late-breaking five-year results of the Evolut Low-Risk Trial presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2025 meeting in late March, showed positive results for the Evolut transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system vs. surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).
FDA clears new device for enabling access to the heart’s surface without an exposed needle
CardioVia's ViaOne technology includes a blunt-tip needle that remains concealed to help interventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists treat cardiac arrhythmias with a reduced risk of perforation or any other complications.
Late-breaking cardiovascular drug trials took center stage at ACC.25
Richard Kovacs, MD, detailed some the most important late-breaking cardiology pharmacology trials presented at ACC.25.
Deaths after TAVR are on the rise: Is the pandemic to blame or should cardiologists be concerned?
COVID-19 may help explain the increased rates of cardiac and noncardiac mortality among TAVR patients, but there are several other factors to consider as well. Researchers explored nearly 11 years of STS/ACC registry data to learn more.

Stroke rates higher after CABG than PCI—but only in first 30 days

Stroke rates are higher in the first 30 days after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but are similar thereafter, according to a pooled analysis of 11 randomized trials published July 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Frailty in younger patients post-CABG may increase mortality

While frailty is generally viewed as a consideration for the elderly, new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests it is deadlier in younger patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Discharge against medical advice post PCI is ‘infrequent but deadly’

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients who discharge against medical advice (DAMA) are twice as likely to be readmitted to the hospital, according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Operator performs robot-assisted PCI from 100 miles away

“Tele-stenting” appears more possible now than ever, as Vascular Robotics announced an interventional cardiologist used its CorPath GRX System to perform a remote percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a pig 100 miles away.

Women, blacks have higher CABG mortality rates

Women and black patients have higher coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mortality rates than men and white patients, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

USPSTF: Evidence insufficient to assess benefits, harms of using ABI to screen for PAD

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued a Grade I recommendation for screening peripheral artery disease (PAD) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk with the ankle-brachial index (ABI), indicating current evidence is insufficient to recommend screening without signs or symptoms of disease.

Thinner-strut DES linked to better 1-year outcomes

New ultra-thin drug-eluting stents (DES) are associated with a 16 percent reduction in target lesion failure (TLF) at one year compared to thicker-strut, second-generation DES, according to a meta-analysis published June 26 in Circulation.

Triple therapy: ‘Acceptable’ safety, fewer strokes for AFib patients after PCI

A triple therapy approach of warfarin, clopidogrel and aspirin substantially reduces the risk of ischemic stroke and stent thrombosis compared to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT), according to a meta-analysis of patients with atrial fibrillation (AFib) undergoing coronary stenting. However, the three-medication strategy is associated with a higher bleeding risk.

Interventional Cardiology

First 500 patients in Align-AR trial using TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation show strong outcomes

5-year Evolut Low Risk Data: Durable clinical outcomes, outstanding valve performance

FDA clears new device for enabling access to the heart’s surface without an exposed needle

Late-breaking cardiovascular drug trials took center stage at ACC.25

Deaths after TAVR are on the rise: Is the pandemic to blame or should cardiologists be concerned?