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.

Patient sues Abbott after early heart valve replacement
The patient's Trifecta GT heart valve had to be replaced after just six years, an experience he says resulted in "permanent injuries." Abbott pulled the devices off the U.S. market in 2023 due to a known risk of structural valve deterioration.
Evoque TTVR system linked to favorable outcomes in new real-world analysis
Researchers tracked data from more than 1,000 real-world patients, focusing on 30-day safety and efficacy outcomes. The group shared its findings at TCT 2025 in San Francisco.
PARTNER 3 update: TAVR still comparable to SAVR in low-risk patients after 7 years
PARTNER 3 has been one of the most closely watched clinical trials in cardiology for many years now. Michael J. Mack, MD, presented a seven-year update during a packed session at TCT 2025.
Medtronic launches FDA-cleared guidewire compatible with multiple TAVR systems
The guidewire was built specifically with Medtronic's own Evolut platform in mind. However, it is also compatible with all other commercially available TAVR systems.
Transcatheter heart failure implant from Ancora Heart linked to positive 2-year data
The flexible device is attached to the inner wall of the left ventricle during a minimally invasive procedure. It was designed to reduce the size of the left ventricle over time.

statue justice legal verdict malpractice case lawsuit scale

Patient sues Abbott after early heart valve replacement

The patient's Trifecta GT heart valve had to be replaced after just six years, an experience he says resulted in "permanent injuries." Abbott pulled the devices off the U.S. market in 2023 due to a known risk of structural valve deterioration.

Edwards Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement TTVR

Evoque TTVR system linked to favorable outcomes in new real-world analysis

Researchers tracked data from more than 1,000 real-world patients, focusing on 30-day safety and efficacy outcomes. The group shared its findings at TCT 2025 in San Francisco.

Michael J. Mack, MD, discusses his team's seven-year update to the PARTNER 3 trial at TCT 2025 in San Francisco.

PARTNER 3 update: TAVR still comparable to SAVR in low-risk patients after 7 years

PARTNER 3 has been one of the most closely watched clinical trials in cardiology for many years now. Michael J. Mack, MD, presented a seven-year update during a packed session at TCT 2025.

Medtronic launches FDA-cleared guidewire compatible with multiple TAVR systems

The guidewire was built specifically with Medtronic's own Evolut platform in mind. However, it is also compatible with all other commercially available TAVR systems.

Ancora Heart AccuCinch Ventricular Restoration System heart failure FDA

Transcatheter heart failure implant from Ancora Heart linked to positive 2-year data

The flexible device is attached to the inner wall of the left ventricle during a minimally invasive procedure. It was designed to reduce the size of the left ventricle over time.

New biodegradable PFO closure device shows early potential

Researchers tracked patients for two years, using echocardiography to confirm the devices had completely vanished. Additional studies will still be required.

potential new tariffs on medical devices, imaging equipment, PPE and more

Cardiology groups among the voices concerned about more medical device tariffs

When the Trump administration requested public input on adding more tariffs for PPE and all medical devices, hundreds of public comments were submitted. One common concern among those responses is that healthcare providers could be left with significantly higher costs.

ASE leading push to revise CPT code for interventional echocardiography

The pressure is on for ASE and other societies to create a new CPT code for the use of interventional echocardiography during structural heart procedures.