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.

Acute kidney injury after TAVR: Key risk factors every cardiologist should know
Multiple studies have linked acute kidney injury after TAVR to a heightened risk of short- and long-term mortality.
FDA approves JenaValve TAVR system for aortic regurgitation
The Trilogy Transcatheter Heart Valve System is the first TAVR device approved by the FDA to treat severe aortic regurgitation. Until now, interventional cardiologists have had to settle for the off-label use of TAVR valves built for treating aortic stenosis.
CRT 2026: Key takeaways for interventional cardiologists
CRT studies shed new light on many topics, including long-term TAVR outcomes, radiation protection and advanced interventional techniques.
Moderate valve oversizing during TAVR boosts survival—too much may be less beneficial
Oversizing transcatheter heart valves can improve TAVR outcomes. There is still a reason to be cautious, however, especially when patients are receiving a balloon-expandable valve.
Cardiologists develop new AI screening tool for structural heart disease
Researchers have developed an advanced AI model capable of detecting signs of severe AS, mitral regurgitation and other complications in ECG results. For example, one 84-year-old patient who was hospitalized for a fractured femur ended up being scanned and treated with TAVR just days later.

Acute kidney injury after TAVR: Key risk factors every cardiologist should know

Multiple studies have linked acute kidney injury after TAVR to a heightened risk of short- and long-term mortality.

FDA approves JenaValve TAVR system for aortic regurgitation

The Trilogy Transcatheter Heart Valve System is the first TAVR device approved by the FDA to treat severe aortic regurgitation. Until now, interventional cardiologists have had to settle for the off-label use of TAVR valves built for treating aortic stenosis.

Several interventional cardiology late-breaking studies were presented at the Cardiovascular Research Technologies (CRT) 2026 meeting March 7-10, and experts from the Society of Society highlighted what they felt was most impactful to clinical practice. Photo by Dave Fornell.

CRT 2026: Key takeaways for interventional cardiologists

CRT studies shed new light on many topics, including long-term TAVR outcomes, radiation protection and advanced interventional techniques.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Moderate valve oversizing during TAVR boosts survival—too much may be less beneficial

Oversizing transcatheter heart valves can improve TAVR outcomes. There is still a reason to be cautious, however, especially when patients are receiving a balloon-expandable valve.

Cardiologists develop new AI screening tool for structural heart disease

Researchers have developed an advanced AI model capable of detecting signs of severe AS, mitral regurgitation and other complications in ECG results. For example, one 84-year-old patient who was hospitalized for a fractured femur ended up being scanned and treated with TAVR just days later.

World’s first polymeric TAVR valve impresses cardiologists—could improve durability, reduce costs

The new-look TAVR system was linked to multiple benefits after one year. The cardiologists evaluating this device belief it could significantly reduce the risk of long-term valve degeneration.

Heart failure biomarker identifies long-term risk in T-TEER patients

NT-proBNP measurements are often used to diagnose and manage heart failure. According to a new study of more than 2,000 patients, they can also provide value to cardiologists performing T-TEER.

After traversing the aortic cusp with an electrified wire and balloon inflation, a stent is positioned inside the noncoronary cusp and deployed. Immediately after, a transcatheter aortic valve is expanded, and the stent is crushed on the left ventricular outflow tract wall and annulus, while anchored to the aortic valve leaflet.

Cardiologists perform first TAVR of its kind by anchoring valve to crushed stent

The patient, 78, presented with severe AR and no signs of calcification. She was considered a poor choice for surgery or traditional TAVR due to multiple risks. That is where the new-look ATLAS technique came in.