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.

Medtronic CoreValve TAVR first-generation transcatheter heart valve

First-generation Medtronic TAVR valves linked to strong outcomes after 12 years

Researchers tracked the long-term safety, effectiveness and durability of first-generation CoreValve devices in nearly 900 patients.

Echocardiography vs CT for Prediction of Newly Created LVOT Area during TMVR

3D echo comparable to CT for predicting TMVR complications

LVOT obstruction after TMVR remains a significant concern among structural heart cardiologists. Predicting the risk of LVOT obstruction typically requires CT, which comes with certain disadvantages compared to other imaging options.

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Stroke after TAVR in AFib patients: Key risk factors cardiologists should know

Reviewing a patient's medical history can help care teams select the optimal post-TAVR oral anticoagulation strategy.

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Edwards Lifesciences agrees to acquire JenaValve, Endotronix for $1.2B

While JenaValve is known for its Trilogy Heart Valve System, a device designed specifically to treat aortic regurgitation, Endotronix specializes in developing heart failure technologies. The news comes after Edwards sold its critical care business for $4.2 billion in June, saying it would double down on its structural heart portfolio. 

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Cardiology Funding Roundup: Cardurion, Kestra, TRiCares all secure key investments

Businesses in the cardiovascular health space have been busy in recent weeks, announcing one big financing round after another. 

Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 transcatheter heart valve used for Mitral Valve-in-Valve

Transcatheter mitral valve-in-valve replacement benefits intermediate-risk patients

New one-year data suggests transseptal MViV with a Sapien 3 heart valve is a "favorable and safe procedure." Researchers plan to follow patients for a total of 10 years.

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR makes minimal impact on long-term outcomes

Researchers tracked SWEDEHEART data from more than 8,000 TAVR patients treated from 2008 to 2022. Overall, they said, PPM after TAVR was rare, and its impact on outcomes was "negligible."

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Get SMART: Cardiologist says new TAVR data changed his perspective on treating women with symptomatic severe AS

Sponsored by Medtronic

Physicians and researchers complete thousands of clinical trials each year, but some findings prove far more significant than others. For cardiologist Dharmesh Patel, MD, the results of the SMART trial have changed the way he’s managing and recommending treatment for women with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.