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.

Surgeons Operating On Patient

Early SAVR in asymptomatic heart patients linked to long-term benefits

New 10-year data explored the impact of performing SAVR on asymptomatic patients with severe aortic stenosis.

One of the big late-breaking trials presented at the 2026 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Scientific Sessions was the CHAMPION-AF, which showed left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) can offer a safe, non-drug alternative to anticoagulation therapy, even in patients with atrial fibrillation who are not at high risk for bleeding. First author of the study Shephal Doshi, MD, FACC, an electrophysiologist at Cedars Sinai Smidt Heart Institute, discussed the details of the trial. #LAAO #ACC #ACC26

New data point to LAAO as a safe alternative to long-term drug therapy

At the end of the day, one electrophysiologist explained, these decisions should still be made on a case-by-case basis.

Edwards Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement TTVR

PVL after TTVR linked to much lower survival rate, fewer clinical benefits

TTVR has made a major impact on heart patients all over the world. Just like aortic and mitral valve replacement, however, paravalvular leak is a serious complication that can lead to much worse outcomes.

Post-TAVR bleeding in AFib patients much less common with apixaban than rivaroxaban

When it came to all-cause mortality and ischemic stroke, however, the two popular DOACs were associated with comparable outcomes. 

The leaders of the new Adams Valve Institute at Mount Sinai are Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, PhD, director of aortic surgery and director of the Adams Valve Institute (left), and David H. Adams, MD, the Marie-Josée and Henry R. Kravis Professor and chair of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine, and cardiac surgeon-in-chief of the Mount Sinai Health System.

Mount Sinai announces new global center focused on heart valve disease

The Adams Valve Institute—named after David H. Adams, MD—plans on uniting specialists to provide high-quality care, promote innovation and advocate for policy reform.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved an investigational device exemption (IDE) to conduct a pivotal clinical trial for TRiCares Topaz transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system in the U.S. The TTVR system uses two stent frames, one for the valve and one to engage the annulus with a membrane shirt between them to enable flexing of the outer ring to better seal against regurgitation.expansing stents

FDA clears way for IDE pivotal trial of the Topaz tricuspid valve replacement system

The TRiCares Topaz uses a unique two-stent frame valve prosthesis for better sealing and flexibility.

To unpack the large number of lat-breaking trials at the American College of Cardiology 2026 meeting, Cardiovascular Business spoke in the above video interview with Deepak L. Bhatt, MD, MPH, MBA, FACC, FAHA, FESC, MSCAI, director of the Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital, who highlighted several studies he felt had the most scientific impact. This included a mix of drug, device and strategy trials pointing to advances in cardiology. #ACC #ACC26

Deepak Bhatt discusses some of the most impactful trials at ACC 2026

Bhatt describes a mix of drug, device and strategy trials pointing to advances in cardiovascular science.
 

The SoloPace Fusion Temporary Pacing System from Solo Pace Inc. is deigned to eliminate the need for right ventricular (RV) lead placement, which requires the added procedural step to gaining venous access. This can cut procedure time and mitigate possible complication risks. For interventional cardiologists using improvised left ventricular (LV) pacing, this system can replace ad-hoc clip assemblies, subcutaneous needles and exposed wire connections, which are known sources of inconsistent pace capture.

New temporary pacing system for TAVR launches in US

New pacing system is designed to streamline TAVR cath lab workflows, cut procedural steps and increase reliability.