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.

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Radial access bests femoral access for PCI on CKD patients

The authors tracked data from more than 7,000 high-risk patients who underwent PCI from January 2000 to January 2021. 

Rivaroxaban limits adverse limb and cardiovascular events in surgically treated PAD patients

Rivaroxaban was associated with more bleeding than a placebo, researchers observed, but the overall incidence of such events was still low.

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TMVR outcomes suffer when patients have heart failure and diabetes—but benefits remain

Overall, the authors emphasized, TMVR helped heart failure patients with and without diabetes.

Next-day discharge after TMVR is on the rise

By 2018, nearly half of all TMVR patients were going home the very next day. Outcomes for these patients have been consistently positive. 

Chronic liver disease associated with worse PCI outcomes

Researchers tracked data from more than 54,000 adult patients with CLD who underwent PCI from 2004 to 2015.

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TEER shows potential to boost outcomes for cardiogenic shock patients

Cardiogenic shock has been linked to a heightened risk of morbidity and mortality. TEER, it seems, may be able to help provide patients with some relief. 

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How diabetes impacts TEER outcomes

The new analysis, published in JACC: Heart Failure, focused on patient data from the renowned COAPT trial. 

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PCI rates down 10%, new analysis shows

Declining elective PCI rates, a shift toward the outpatient setting and changes in the initial management of stable ischemic heart disease all appear to be responsible for the drop.