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.

Banner ASC in Sun City, Arizona.

PHOTO GALLERY: Behind the scenes at a cardiac ambulatory surgical center

A look inside a Banner Health cardiology ambulatory surgical center (ASC) in Sun City, Arizona.

Medtronic launches Evolut FX TAVR system aortic stenosis

New feature found on Evolut FX valve helps cardiologists confirm commissural alignment during TAVR

Commissural alignment is especially important now, researchers explained, because TAVR is being recommended for younger patients with longer life expectancies. 

SCAI President Sunil Rao, MD, explains the 2022-2023 SCAI accomplishments to improve interventional cardiology.

SCAI President Sunil Rao on how the society is helping advance interventional cardiology

Rao spoke with Cardiovascular Business at ACC.23 to detail some of SCAI's biggest accomplishments from the last year. 

Cardiologist Azeem Latib

Cardiologist Azeem Latib joins Supira Medical

The interventional cardiologist is now working with vendor Supira Medical to help advance the company's next-generation percutaneous ventricular assist device.

SCAI President Sunil Rao explains what he saw as the top 5 interventional studies at ACC23. #SCAI #ACC #ACC23

5 studies that could make a big impact on interventional cardiology

SCAI President Sunil Rao, MD, spoke with us about some of the key interventional cardiology studies presented at ACC.23 in New Orleans. 

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New minimally invasive CLTI treatment helps save patients from amputation

The study’s primary endpoint, amputation-free survival after six months, was seen in 66.1% of CLTI patients who underwent transcatheter arterialization.

PCI

Transradial access should be ‘default strategy’ for PCI, new study confirms

Researchers explored data from nearly 25,000 PCI procedures, tracking the outcomes of patients treated with transradial access and transfemoral access. 

Images from the consensus document showing the proper left atrial appendage (LAA) sizing assessment for a transcatheter occluder device using transesophageal echo (TEE). Sizing and evaluation for pre-existing thrombus in the LAA also can be performed using cardiac CT.

SCAI and HRS release expert consensus on transcatheter left atrial appendage occlusion

One of the new recommendations is to conduct baseline imaging with TEE or cardiac CT.