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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Why STEMI patients undergoing PCI should be tested for subclinical hypothyroidism

For patients undergoing PCI, subclinical hypothyroidism was associated with higher short-term and long-term mortality.

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Same-day discharge after PCI? American College of Cardiology shares a new guidance

Knowing when same-day discharge is the right choice—and when it isn’t—can be especially challenging for cardiologists and their care teams. 

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Edwards evaluating the safety, effectiveness of new mitral valve repair solution

The system was designed to require only one small incision to repair a patient’s mitral valve. 

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Statin therapy with evolocumab reduces patient’s risk of PCI, CABG

The authors tracked data from more than 1,700 patients with stable atherosclerosis, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Ticagrelor vs. prasugrel for severe heart attack patients undergoing PCI

A new study, published in Circulation, tracked how each drug helped STEMI patients undergoing primary PCI. 

New technique for heart bypass surgery could limit patient discomfort, lower costs

The updated approach relies solely on CT imaging data and does not require a catheter

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FFR measurements provide substantial value, help determine when patients need PCI

Patient outcomes are much better when clinicians use single-vessel FFR measurements to determine whether or not to perform PCI. 

Boston Scientific gains FDA approval for Ranger drug-coated balloon

The newly approved solution was designed for the treatment of patients with PAD in the superficial femoral artery and proximal popliteal artery.