Structural Heart Disease

Structural heart diseases include any issues preventing normal cardiovascular function due to damage or alteration to the anatomical components of the heart. This is caused by aging, advanced atherosclerosis, calcification, tissue degeneration, congenital heart defects and heart failure. The most commonly treated areas are the heart valves, in particular the mitral and aortic valves. These can be replaced through open heart surgery or using cath lab-based transcatheter valves or repairs to eliminate regurgitation due to faulty valve leaflets. This includes transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Other common procedures include left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion and closing congenital holes in the heart, such as PFO and ASD. A growing area includes transcatheter mitral repair or replacement and transcatheter tricuspid valve repair and replacement.

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.
TAVR remains a viable treatment strategy for cancer patients
Improvements in care have resulted in a growing number of patients who go on to be diagnosed with both cancer and severe aortic stenosis. TAVR appears to be an effective treatment option for those individuals, and it may help them go on to receive life-saving cancer therapies.
Why Shockwave Medical is so excited about the future of intravascular lithotripsy
Nick West, MD, Shockwave Medical's chief medical officer, detailed how the company is continuing to push IVL technologies forward. "We are leading the space ... we have no intention of giving up that position," he said.
W. L. Gore & Associates to acquire medtech company behind foam-based LAAO system
Conformal Medical developed its CLAAS technology to help patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation reduce their risk of stroke without the use of anticoagulants. Back in August, the company raised $32 million to help ramp up research on the device.
FDA approves TMVR system from Edwards Lifesciences for high-risk heart patients
The Sapien M3 transcatheter mitral valve replacement system is implanted using a transseptal approach. The device previously received CE mark approval in 2025.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

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.

TAVR remains a viable treatment strategy for cancer patients

Improvements in care have resulted in a growing number of patients who go on to be diagnosed with both cancer and severe aortic stenosis. TAVR appears to be an effective treatment option for those individuals, and it may help them go on to receive life-saving cancer therapies.

Nick West, MD, chief medical officer, Shockwave Medical, Johnson and Johnson Meditech, explains how the company is innovating intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) therapy devices and building clinical evidence from trials for its use in a variety of calcified lesions. There are several companies developing IVL therapy, but West says Shockwave will remain the market leader because of its nearly decade long head start in the market, strong clinical evidence and has about a 10% market penetration. #IVKL

Why Shockwave Medical is so excited about the future of intravascular lithotripsy

Nick West, MD, Shockwave Medical's chief medical officer, detailed how the company is continuing to push IVL technologies forward. "We are leading the space ... we have no intention of giving up that position," he said.

M&A mergers and acquisitions business deal

W. L. Gore & Associates to acquire medtech company behind foam-based LAAO system

Conformal Medical developed its CLAAS technology to help patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation reduce their risk of stroke without the use of anticoagulants. Back in August, the company raised $32 million to help ramp up research on the device.

FDA approves TMVR system from Edwards Lifesciences for high-risk heart patients

The Sapien M3 transcatheter mitral valve replacement system is implanted using a transseptal approach. The device previously received CE mark approval in 2025.

Abbott has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance and CE mark approval for its Amplatzer Piccolo Delivery System.

FDA clears Abbott delivery device for closing holes in the hearts of premature infants

Cardiologists now have a new tool to assist with PDA closure in these vulnerable patients.

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TAVR or SAVR? Market competition may be influencing these decisions

Hospitals located in more competitive markets may be more likely to perform TAVR instead of SAVR, according to a new analysis of more than 130,000 patients. Is this a reason for concern?

cardiologists going through the certification process

CMS considers Medicare coverage for TAVR in asymptomatic patients

After an official request from Edwards Lifesciences, CMS is rethinking its coverage policy for the use of TAVR to treat asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The agency is accepting public comments on this topic until Jan. 14.