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.

Map of Congressional districts and the rate of amputations based on medicare data showing Mississippi delta region with the highest number of amputation procedures per year. Dr. Fakorede located his practice there to try and combat extremely the high PAD and CLI rates.

PAD is a public health crisis say cardiovascular societies

September is peripheral artery disease (PAD) awareness month, and medical societies are using it to promote awareness for patients and referring physicians to act against the debilitating disease.
 

Thumbnail

‘An excellent outcome’: TAVR safe and effective for patients in their nineties

Bleeding and vascular complications were more common, but one-year outcomes confirmed patients in their nineties should still be considered for TAVR.

Video interview with Pedro Martinez Clark, MD, an interventional cardiologist, who explains how he overcame some key health disparities in Miami to make sure minority patients in low-income neighborhoods could receive screenings and care for peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Miami cardiologist works to reach more PAD patients in low-income neighborhoods

Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, an interventional cardiologist and founder of Amavita Heart and Vascular Health, explains the health disparities he encounters that block the delivery of care in certain parts of Miami.

Thumbnail

Baseline TR linked to lower quality of life after TAVR, M-TEER—are more interventions the answer?

Patients presenting for TAVR or M-TEER with baseline moderate or severe tricuspid regurgitation were associated with lower post-treatment KCCQ scores and a higher mortality rate. Perhaps treating more of these patients with tricuspid valve repair or replacement could make a difference, researchers noted. 

Pausing oral anticoagulation during TAVR reduces bleeding risk

The findings, based on data from more than 800 TAVR patients, suggest that skipping OAC medications for a small amount of time could make a big impact.

OCT-guided PCI, or optical coherence tomography-guided percutaneous coronary intervention.

OCT-guided PCI boosts outcomes when treating complex lesions

When PCI patients present with complex lesions, optical coherence tomography may provide significant value.

PCI interventional cardiology

PCI before TAVR a winning combination for many heart patients

“No clear recommendation currently exists in U.S. or European guidelines for performing PCI in addition to TAVR,” researchers wrote. The group hoped its study could provide some clarity. 

The SAPIEN 3 Ultra (S3U) transcatheter heart valve from Edwards Lifesciences is

TAVR outperforms SAVR when treating women, historic all-female trial confirms

The study, presented at ESC Congress 2024 in London, confirmed that TAVR was associated with significantly better outcomes than surgery when treating female patients.