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.

Medical device company raises $87M to study new-look scaffolds for BTK PAD
R3 Vascular also announced that Christopher M. Owens, a veteran of the medical device industry, is its new president and CEO.
FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls
The agency is urging healthcare providers to transition away from these devices and seek out alternatives. It is even working with other manufacturers to try and get similar products on the market as quickly as possible.
Health disparities are causing serious harm, leading to 400 amputations per day
Interventional cardiologist Foluso Fakorede, MD, says everything from limited specialists to a lack of sidewalks are causing a disproportionate rate of minorities to be caught in the current PAD and CLI epidemic.
Moderate aortic stenosis linked to heightened risk of death—should TAVR, surgery be considered?
Researchers tracked data from more than 400,000 patients for a new meta-analysis, presenting their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Dual-action thrombectomy device could give cardiologists a new tool for treating acute PE
The new device is believed to be the first of its kind, using both aspiration and mechanical clot disruption to remove blood clots.

Experts recommend NOAC, clopidogrel for most AFib patients undergoing PCI

A new North American consensus statement published July 30 in Circulation recommends a non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC) and the P2Y12 inhibitor clopidogrel for most patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing PCI.

August 3, 2018

Specialized surgical staff for CABG improves mortality rates, reduces complications

Patients who undergo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) have shorter operations, fewer complications and better survival rates if they have surgeons who are subspecialized in CABG, researchers report in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

July 27, 2018

Abbott announces pivotal trial for its mitral valve replacement system

Abbott announced it will conduct a pivotal clinical study in the U.S. of its Tendyne Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) system, for the treatment of mitral regurgitation (MR).

July 26, 2018

Stroke rates higher after CABG than PCI—but only in first 30 days

Stroke rates are higher in the first 30 days after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) than percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) but are similar thereafter, according to a pooled analysis of 11 randomized trials published July 16 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

July 24, 2018

Frailty in younger patients post-CABG may increase mortality

While frailty is generally viewed as a consideration for the elderly, new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests it is deadlier in younger patients after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

July 24, 2018

HF-related mortality among older adults improved from 1999 to 2012, but then decreased considerably over the next several years. Researchers explored the latest data at length, sharing their findings in JACC: Heart Failure.

Discharge against medical advice post PCI is ‘infrequent but deadly’

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) patients who discharge against medical advice (DAMA) are twice as likely to be readmitted to the hospital, according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

July 20, 2018

Operator performs robot-assisted PCI from 100 miles away

“Tele-stenting” appears more possible now than ever, as Vascular Robotics announced an interventional cardiologist used its CorPath GRX System to perform a remote percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in a pig 100 miles away.

July 19, 2018

Women, blacks have higher CABG mortality rates

Women and black patients have higher coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) mortality rates than men and white patients, according to new research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

July 16, 2018

Interventional Cardiology

Medical device company raises $87M to study new-look scaffolds for BTK PAD

FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls

Health disparities are causing serious harm, leading to 400 amputations per day

Moderate aortic stenosis linked to heightened risk of death—should TAVR, surgery be considered?

Dual-action thrombectomy device could give cardiologists a new tool for treating acute PE