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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Clopidogrel linked to better long-term outcomes than aspirin in PCI patients with and without diabetes

Clopidogrel is especially effective at limiting major adverse cardiovascular events among PCI patients with diabetes, researchers found. 

The LuX-Valve Plus transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) device

Cardiologists make history, perform TTVR with new-look valve for first time in U.S.

The new valve was placed inside the damaged valve via a catheter that is inserted through a small incision in the patient's neck. 

SCAI blasts Medicare payment cuts to cardiology, asks members to take action

The group hopes its members can increase congressional support of a new bill introduced in the House. 

Sunil Rao, MD, FSCAI, 2022-23 President of the Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI), and director of interventional cardiology NYU Langone, explains efforts by SCAI to address the shift in interventional procedures from hospitals to less expensive ambulatory surgical centers (ASC).

Maintaining quality is key as more cardiac procedures migrate to outpatient ASCs

SCAI President Sunil Rao, MD, discussed the group's efforts to address the shift in interventional procedures from hospitals to less expensive ambulatory surgical centers.

Eric Secemsky, MD, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FSVM, director of vascular intervention at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, presented the results of a real-world evidence study of data for over 1 million U.S. Medicare patients to evaluate trends in the use of, and outcomes associated with, intravascular imaging during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). #IVUS

Intravascular imaging-guided PCI boosts outcomes, but utilization remains low

Eric Secemsky, MD, told Cardiovascular Business that a lack of training is one of the biggest factors limiting the use of intravascular imaging-guided PCI among interventional cardiologists. 

Boston Scientific Acurate neo2 TAVR

ACURATE neo2 valve linked to successful commissural alignment during TAVR

The new Boston Scientific valve received CE mark approval in 2020, but has not been approved by the FDA.

Banner ASC in Sun City, Arizona.

PHOTO GALLERY: Behind the scenes at a cardiac ambulatory surgical center

A look inside a Banner Health cardiology ambulatory surgical center (ASC) in Sun City, Arizona.

Medtronic launches Evolut FX TAVR system aortic stenosis

New feature found on Evolut FX valve helps cardiologists confirm commissural alignment during TAVR

Commissural alignment is especially important now, researchers explained, because TAVR is being recommended for younger patients with longer life expectancies.