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.

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.
Cardiology pioneer Thomas Fogarty dies as 91
Fogarty created many inventions that fundamentally changed cardiac surgical practice. He also received the Presidential Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Barack Obama in 2014.

IVL gains higher level of reimbursement with one of biggest coding updates for PCI in decades

Intravascular lithotripsy therapy to break up calcified coronary lesions will now be reimbursed at a higher rate under new in-hospital codes the went into effect Oct. 1.

‘More dangerous than useful’: 1 in 5 coronary stents implanted by cardiologists are unnecessary, wasting $800M per year

A cardiologist-led think tank tracked data from more than 1 million procedures, exploring the clinical and economic impacts of implanting low-value coronary stents.

Robert Yeh, MD, explains the details of the AGENT IDE trial clinical trial results for the Agent drug-coated balloon vs plain angioplasty for in-stent restenosis at TCT 2023. #TCT #TCT2023 #DCB

Coronary drug-coated balloon superior to standard of care for in-stent restenosis

Robert Yeh, MD, detailed the importance of the pivotal AGENT IDE trial, which focused on the use of a paclitaxel-coated balloon to treat in-stent restenosis.

Video of Michael Reardon, MD, explaining details from the Evolute Low Risk 4-year results at TCT 2023.

TAVR triumphs over surgery: Exploring 4-year data from the Evolut Low Risk trial

Michael Reardon, MD, discussed his team's late-breaking results at TCT 2023 in San Francisco.

HeartPoint Global Shark Tank Intellistent

New pediatric interventional device for PAH wins ‘Shark Tank’ event at TCT 2023

The first-place finish earned HeartPoint Global $20,000 in prize money.

Late-breaking clinical trials at TCT 2023 could lead to FDA approvals for Abbott, Boston Scientific

Will a coronary drug-coated balloon finally gain full approval from the FDA? New data presented at TCT 2023 seems to suggest it just might happen.

PARTNER 3, Evolut and more: TAVR takes the spotlight in 4 late-breaking clinical trials at TCT 2023

All eyes were on TAVR during the first round of late-breaking clinical trials at TCT 2023 in San Francisco. Researchers shared key updates related to devices from Edwards Lifesciences, Medtronic, Boston Scientific and JenaValve Technology.

Ziad Ali, MD, explains the ILUMIEN IV trial results for OCT Vs. Angiography.

ILUMIEN IV: OCT adds value over angiography alone, fails to improve outcomes

Ziad Ali, MD, discusses the mixed results of the ILUMIEN IV trial comparing OCT vs angiography alone.

Interventional Cardiology

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

Cardiology pioneer Thomas Fogarty dies as 91