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.

Judge blocks Edwards’ JenaValve acquisition—FTC calls it a ‘major win’ for Trump administration
The FTC argued that the $945M deal, first announced in 2024, was "anticompetitive." A federal judge agreed.
The business of cardiology is changing—and cath labs are working to keep up
Financial literacy is no longer optional for physicians. “If you're not financially viable, you can't function,” explained Nirat Beohar, MD. “The business education is probably just as important as learning a new procedure.”
TAVR, other interventional procedures may provide value for patients with carcinoid heart disease
These patients are typically treated with surgery, but those procedures carry their own risks that clinicians would prefer to avoid.
Cardiovascular health societies share new performance and quality measures for PAD management
The ACC and AHA have published updated performance and quality measures focused on the diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease. Several other specialty societies, including SCAI and SIR, also participated in the development of this new document.
Cardiologists perform first procedure of its kind to prevent coronary obstruction after TAVR
A vulnerable heart patient required TAVR, but he faced an extremely high risk of coronary obstruction. Leaflet modification and snorkel stenting were not possible, so the group turned to a brand new treatment option: the VECTOR procedure.

Medtronic TAVR valves at heart of multiple sessions during New York cardiology conference

Medtronic’s TAVR technology received a significant amount of attention during the very first New York Valves conference in New York City. Research focused on patients with small annuli as well as how five-year outcomes compare to surgery.

Edwards shares new data highlighting consistency of its TAVR valves in women, patients with small annuli

Researchers explored five-year data from more than 1,300 TAVR patients treated with a balloon-expandable Sapien 3 valve, sharing their findings at New York Valves 2024: The Structural Heart Summit.

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has helped cardiologists, radiologists, nurses and other healthcare providers embrace precision medicine in a way that ensures more heart patients are receiving personalized care.

AI uses imaging results to ID high-risk TAVR patients with speed, accuracy

Researchers developed an advanced AI model capable of extracting measurements from unprocessed CT images in seconds. It then uses those data to evaluate the patient's mortality risk if they underwent TAVR.

Cardiology salaries keep rising, outpacing consumer prices—interventional cardiologists see biggest jump

Cardiology's gains are far less than some specialties—pay for dermatologists went up more than 10%, for instance—but still ahead of the consumer price index.

It’s official: Johnson & Johnson completes $13B Shockwave Medical acquisition

The deal, first announced in April, has been finalized. Shockwave will now operate as a business unit within Johnson & Johnson MedTech, and its common stock is no longer trading on NASDAQ.

Osteosarcopenia linked to much higher risk of death after TAVR—CT screening may prove valuable

Osteosarcopenia, an age-related condition associated with deterioration in the muscles and bones, nearly triples a patient’s risk of dying within one year of undergoing TAVR.

Richard Heuser, MD, an interventional cardiologist known for his groundbreaking work in the field, leadership and strong business acumen, died on May 23. He was 73 years old.

Cardiologist Richard Heuser, interventional specialist and medical device pioneer, dies at 73

Heuser had a long, impactful career in cardiology. One former colleague said he was “an amazing interventional cardiologist and an even better human being.”

Leftr, Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FSCAI, interventional cardiologist, founder and medical director of Amavita Heart and Vascular Health during a PAD intervention. Right, an ultrasound evaluation of PAD in the legs. Amavita recently launched the Miami Initiative to Stop Amputation (MISA) to tackle the rising rates of amputations due to peripheral artery disease (PAD), in Latin, Haitian and Black communities in the Miami area. Photos courtesy of Amavita Heart and Vascular Health

Rising amputation rates spark new PAD initiative in Miami

"When you think about the rise of amputations in a country like the United States, that's concerning because it should not be happening here," one interventional cardiologist said.

Interventional Cardiology

Judge blocks Edwards’ JenaValve acquisition—FTC calls it a ‘major win’ for Trump administration

The business of cardiology is changing—and cath labs are working to keep up

TAVR, other interventional procedures may provide value for patients with carcinoid heart disease

Cardiovascular health societies share new performance and quality measures for PAD management

Cardiologists perform first procedure of its kind to prevent coronary obstruction after TAVR