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.

Is TAVR too common among younger patients? New data prompt a ‘call to action’
Experts agree that most patients younger than 65 should be treated with surgery instead of TAVR. According to a new real-world analysis, however, more and more of these patients are undergoing TAVR.
FDA clears high-pressure balloon catheter for BAV procedures
The new device from Arizona-based Corvention was built to withstand the extreme pressures associated with treating severely calcified valves.
How expert guidelines have influenced TAVR vs. SAVR decisions
As popular as TAVR is today, SAVR continues to play a significant role in the management of patients with valvular disease.
Upfront costs of robotic heart surgery are high—but it may be a smart investment
Makoto Hashimoto, MD, PhD, said robotic procedures are associated with a faster recovery time and many other potential benefits.
PHOTO GALLERY: Cardiac surgery technologies at the AATS 106th Annual Meeting
A wide variety of technologies, including robotic systems, heart valves, stent grafts, retractors and annuloplasty rings, were on display in Chicago.

Is TAVR too common among younger patients? New data prompt a ‘call to action’

Experts agree that most patients younger than 65 should be treated with surgery instead of TAVR. According to a new real-world analysis, however, more and more of these patients are undergoing TAVR.

FDA clears high-pressure balloon catheter for BAV procedures

The new device from Arizona-based Corvention was built to withstand the extreme pressures associated with treating severely calcified valves.

How expert guidelines have influenced TAVR vs. SAVR decisions

As popular as TAVR is today, SAVR continues to play a significant role in the management of patients with valvular disease.

Video of Makoto Hashimoto, MD, PhD, professor and director of robotic cardiac surgery at Florida International University, Baptist Health, who presented a study on robotic surgery outcomes and costs at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) 2026 annual meeting this week. While the costs of these minimally invasive robotic procedures is higher that traditional surgical procedures, he said costs overall can be reduced in terms of faster patient recovery, shorter length of stays.

Upfront costs of robotic heart surgery are high—but it may be a smart investment

Makoto Hashimoto, MD, PhD, said robotic procedures are associated with a faster recovery time and many other potential benefits.

PHOTO GALLERY: Cardiac surgery technologies at the AATS 106th Annual Meeting

A wide variety of technologies, including robotic systems, heart valves, stent grafts, retractors and annuloplasty rings, were on display in Chicago.

Kevin Accola, MD, a cardiac surgeon at Advent Health in Orlando, Florida, explains the 10-year results from the COMMENCE aortic trial that shows long-term durability and sustained performance of its Resilia surgical aortic valve. The data were presented at the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) 2026 annual meeting this week. #AATS #AATS26 #AATS2026

Resilia tissue developed by Edwards Lifesciences associated with long-term durability

Kevin Accola, MD, spoke to Cardiovascular Business about new 10-year data on the performance of surgical valves featuring Resilia tissue. The findings are good news for Edwards Lifesciences, which also includes the tissue on many of its TAVR devices.

TAVR or SAVR? Cardiologists and heart surgeons highlight the care that goes into each decision

When heart patients require aortic valve replacement, would they be a better fit for TAVR or SAVR? Such decisions are not made lightly, clinicians emphasized in a new joint statement.

Kimberly Hatch, RT(R)(CT)(ARRT), technical director of 3D lab at Banner Health, explains the advances in advanced visualization software what is needed to build a comprehensive cardiac 3D imaging lab.

Advanced AI helps 3D imaging labs evolve with the times

“Technology grows and grows,” as one lab director explained. “Our job is to keep up with it and use it in the most efficient and effective way.”