Interventional cardiologists with Henry Ford Health performed the historic procedure on an 85-year-old patient who had been experiencing worsening symptoms for a full year.

“Our results beg the question of whether pre-TAVR baseline coronary angiography is even necessary,” researchers wrote in the American Journal of Cardiology.

The new device, the first of its kind to gain FDA approval, was designed for patients who have no other endovascular or surgical options available to them.

According to a loving tribute from Methodist Health System, Matthew Latacha, MD, was “well respected, admired and loved by patients, colleagues and staff.” The incident is still under investigation. 

Some heart teams may only target the culprit lesions when treating older patients, but new research confirms this increases the risk of several unfavorable outcomes. 

Shockwave and two other healthcare companies in the cardiovascular health space are considered attractive options for investors looking to expand their portfolios. 

Researchers explored data from more than 2,300 patients, categorizing all bleeding events based on updated VARC-3 definitions. The team's final analysis was published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

The study, based on STS/ACC registry data, represents a collaboration between several leading TAVR specialists.