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.

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DAPT during valve-in-valve TAVR may reduce stroke risk—more data still required

New research suggests there may be a cardiovascular benefit to considering dual antiplatelet therapy for valve-in-valve TAVR patients.

cardiologist viewing heart data

Cardiologists, heart surgeons sound alarm over widespread use of TAVR in low-risk patients

Are too many low-risk patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR instead of SAVR? According to one group of clinicians, "a significant public health concern may be looming."

Medtronic Penditure Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Exclusion System

Medtronic gains key approval for LAA exclusion device

The FDA-cleared device from Medtronic, which arrives pre-loaded on a single-use delivery system, is now set to launch in Europe.

Heart cardiologists doctors surgery

Tracking the long-term safety of performing SAVR, other heart surgeries after TAVR

More and more TAVR patients are going to require SAVR later in life. A research team out of Cleveland Clinic hoped to learn more about how this one-two combination may impact long-term outcomes.

The next generation Watchman device is designed to better seal off complex LAA anatomy to prevent strokes in atrial fibrillation patients. It uses an optimized architecture to fill gaps and adapt to the unique characteristics of each patient's appendage, which come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes.

Next-generation Watchman enters trial in 2026 as LAAO volume grows

The next-generation Watchman device is designed to better seal off complex LAA anatomy in a variety of LAA shapes and sizes.

Cardiologist heart

How TAVR device type may impact outcomes in patients with excessive cusp calcification

Should patients with excessive cusp calcification be treated with self-expanding or balloon-expandable TAVR devices? Each valve type appears to be associated with its own benefits and risks.

Surgeons Operating On Patient

TAVR reinterventions: What new data tell us about redo, explant trends over time

TAVR reintervention rates remain low. However, they are slowly rising as the procedure is used more to treat patients with severe aortic stenosis. Researchers think this trend may continue going forward.

Edwards Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement TTVR

American College of Cardiology shares new expert recommendations on treating tricuspid regurgitation

There have been so many developments in the treatment of TR that it can be challenging to keep up. The ACC crafted this new document to help ensure cardiologists, cardiac imagers and other clinicians have access to the most recent clinical data and policy decisions.