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.

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement
Edwards Lifesciences sent a formal request to CMS in February after its Evoque TTVR device gained FDA approval. The agency is now accepting public comments for 30 days.
Hydra TAVR valve gains key approval as global reach continues to grow
The self-expanding device is now available in more than 20 countries and received CE mark approval back in 2020. However, it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States.
SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves
BAV patients are often excluded from TAVR trials, creating uncertainty about the best way to treat that population when aortic valve replacement is required. To learn more, researchers tracked CMS data from 2018 to 2022, presenting their findings in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Intravascular lithotripsy technology now a top priority for many healthcare companies
After the significant success of Shockwave Medical's IVL therapy to break up heavily calcified vessels without trauma, there are now several companies working on their own IVL devices.
SCAI president reviews achievements in interventional cardiology in 2024
SCAI President James Hermiller, MD, recently outlined the key achievements for 2024, including creation of the first interventional cardiology match program, successful advocacy and efforts to increase women in the field.

FFR-guided PCI provides significant value, new meta-analysis confirms

FFR-guided PCI was associated with improved resource utilization and less radiation exposure, among other benefits, when compared to angiography-guided procedures.

October 11, 2022

VIDEO: Role of PFO closure in stroke prevention

John Carroll, MD, director of interventional cardiology and professor of medicine at the University of Colorado, explains the state of transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO) to prevent stroke.

October 10, 2022

5 key predictors of heart failure hospitalizations after TAVR

Diabetes and atrial fibrillation are just some of the factors that can increase a patient's risk of being hospitalized for heart failure within one year of undergoing a successful TAVR procedure.

October 6, 2022

P2Y12 inhibitor monotherapy after PCI similar to prolonged DAPT, new 3-year analysis confirms

Researchers have shared an updated analysis of the SMART-CHOICE study, focusing on major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events—as well as bleeding events—among PCI patients after three years.

October 5, 2022

Preventing AKI after TAVR may help lessen the impact of chronic kidney disease

If researchers can find ways to prevent AKI after TAVR, it could help decrease the risk of poor outcomes in more ways than one.

September 30, 2022

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Earlier interventions may boost survival when TAVR patients experience a stroke

New research in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions suggests improved collaborations between cardiologists and neurologists could help TAVR patients live longer after a periprocedural stroke.

September 29, 2022

Impella Heart Pump Abiomed RECOVER IV RCT cardiogenic shock

Impella heart pumps boost survival up to 81% for cardiogenic shock patients

The heart pumps appear to provide significant benefits for patients with acute myocardial infarction- or myocarditis-related cardiogenic shock.

September 28, 2022

Regulatory Roundup: FDA clears AI model for RV/LV ratios, approves calcium-blocking TAVR valve and much more

Read our review of some of the biggest FDA-related stories that have hit cardiology in the last month, including news from Viz.ai, Edwards Lifesciences, Abiomed and Medtronic.

September 23, 2022

Interventional Cardiology

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement

Hydra TAVR valve gains key approval as global reach continues to grow

SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves

Intravascular lithotripsy technology now a top priority for many healthcare companies

SCAI president reviews achievements in interventional cardiology in 2024