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.

Boston Scientific ACURATE neo2 aortic valve system self-expanding TAVR valve

Did Boston Scientific pull the plug too early on TAVR devices? Cardiologists weigh in

Boston Scientific stopped selling its Acurate TAVR systems after they underperformed in a few key trials and failed to gain FDA approval. Was it the right call?

Early TAVR for asymptomatic severe AS cuts costs, improves outcomes

The study found lifetime per-patient savings from early TAVR ranged from about $2,334 in the U.K. to $19,607 in Switzerland.

Meril Life Sciences, an India-based medical device company founded in 2006, developed the Myval TAVR valve

Myval TAVR valve outperforms Sapien and Evolut in the late-breaking LANDMARK trial

The LANDMARK trial continues to show positive outcomes for the TAVR valve made in India.

Siemens Healthineers and Boston Scientific partner on next-generation intracardiac echo for LAAO

The agreement also will make Boston Scientific the exclusive distributor for the new ICE catheter optimized for left atrial appendage occlusion workflows.

robotic aortic valve replacement (RAVR)

A new alternative: Surgeons, cardiologists gather to learn about robotic aortic valve replacement

The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute is hosting a two-day symposium focused on exploring the benefits and long-term potential of robotic aortic valve replacement. Fans of the procedure say it represents a safe, effective alternative to TAVR and SAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis. 

Heart cardiologists doctors surgery

Prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR may not negatively impact quality of life

Researchers warned that “aggressive procedural modifications” should not be necessary during TAVR to mitigate the risk of prosthesis-patient mismatch. This appears to be true for patients receiving both self-expanding and balloon-expandable TAVR valves.

heart data research doctor cardiologist AI

A significant risk in female heart patients: Paradoxical low-flow, low-gradient AS

Sponsored by Medtronic

Identifying the signs of severe aortic stenosis is typically a fairly straightforward process for cardiologists. In some cases, however, the patient’s symptoms present in a way that is outside of the norm. 

doctor patient elderly check up hospital

Prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR: Key details cardiologists need to know

Sponsored by Medtronic

Prosthesis-patient mismatch (PPM) is the phenomenon that occurs when the effective orifice area of a prosthetic heart valve isn’t adequately sized to meet a patient’s blood flow requirements. More is known today about PPM than ever before—but there is still so much to learn.