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.

Biosense Webster gained CE mark approval for its Varipulse pulsed field ablation (PFA) system in Europe

Biosense Webster gains CE mark approval for new PFA system

The news represents yet another big regulatory approval for PFA technology in 2024. Could FDA approval be next for Biosense Webster?

A diabetic foot ulcer that does not heal due to low blood supply from peripheral artery disease (PAD), and the before and after interventional angiograms of the patient's revascularization treatment. Images courtesy of Foluso Fakorede, MD

Experts hope improved PAD awareness can lead to fewer leg amputations

Nearly 80% of Black and Hispanic adults said they never discussed PAD with a doctor, which vascular experts say is a major problem.

Image of the A-FLUX Reducer System for chest pain by VahatiCor

Cardiologists make history, treat world’s first patient with new interventional device for chest pain

The self-expandable device was designed to treat “no-option” chest pain patients who see no long-term benefits from other interventions. 

Using the Sentinel cerebral protection device during valve-in-valve TAVR is associated with significant clinical improvements.

Cerebral protection devices during valve-in-valve TAVR: Cleveland Clinic cardiologists identify key benefits

Cerebral protection devices, designed to limit the risk of stroke during transcatheter aortic valve replacement, may be especially helpful when patients undergo valve-in-valve TAVR.

Intravascular imaging-guided PCI linked to improved survival, fewer adverse events in large new analysis

The study’s authors tracked data from nearly 16,000 patients who underwent PCI from 2010 to 2023. This is believed this to be the largest comparison of intravascular imaging-guided PCI and angiography-guided PCI to date.

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Lawsuit resolved after cardiologist alleged he was fired over TAVR safety concerns

The veteran cardiologist had been worried that cerebral protection devices were only being used to treat TAVR patients with specific insurance plans. The lawsuit has now been resolved to the “mutual satisfaction” of both parties.

An aortic vascular surgery case being performed with the Philips LumiGuide FORS system. The light-based technology enables catheter navigation and the ability to see the catheters in multiple views with out the need for X-ray imaging in the cath lab.

Philips launches new light-based, radiation-free cath lab imaging system

LumiGuide uses fiber optic realShape (FORS) technology, where light is reflected along an optical fiber inside a guidewire to generate 3D, high-resolution, color images of devices inside a patient’s body

Alain Cribier, MD, a veteran interventional cardiologist known for performing the very first transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), died on Feb. 16. He was 79 years old.

Cardiology pioneer, known for performing world’s first TAVR, remembered as a ‘true visionary’

Alain Cribier, MD, a veteran interventional cardiologist out of France, died at the age of 79. The procedure he helped put on the map is arguably cardiology's most significant breakthrough in the last several decades.