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.

FDA clears new AI model for MAC detection in routine imaging results
The advanced algorithm was designed to detect and evaluate mitral annular calcification on routine, non-gated CT scans. It is now available as part of Carebricks, a generative AI platform from Bunkerhill Health.
SCAI highlights the benefits of ICE-guided structural heart interventions
ICE is gaining momentum as a helpful imaging option during structural heart interventions, according to a new SCAI position statement. TEE and TTE remain incredibly important, but there are times when ICE can provide the guidance necessary.
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.
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 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.

Fluoroquinolone use predicts aortic, mitral regurgitation

People who currently take or have recently taken fluoroquinolones face higher odds of aortic and mitral regurgitation, according to a report out of Canada.

Tackling the Undertreatment of Aortic Stenosis in the U.S.

The problem is fixable, but it will take hard work, says one Duke University researcher. And cardiologists could be the key.

Transcarotid Access: The Future of Non-femoral TAVR?

The transcarotid approach to TAVR is becoming more common, according to research presented at TVT.19.

As Surgery Gives Way to Transcatheter Procedures, Is the Cardiology Cash Cow in Jeopardy?

With minimally invasive structural procedures crowding out their surgical counterparts, how are physicians and hospitals preparing for the new reality?

FDA Expands Indication for TAVR to Low-risk Patients

The U.S. now will allow TAVR for patients at low risk for death or major complications during open-heart surgery.

Who Shouldn’t Get TAVR? Lower-risk TAVR Raises New Challenges Around Assessing Patient Eligibility

As TAVR finds a new comfort zone in younger, healthier patients, determining who shouldn’t receive the replacement valve is becoming a nuanced and challenging exercise.

Early anticoagulation after SAVR reduces stroke risk

Early anticoagulation after bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement didn’t result in adverse clinical events or significantly affect aortic valve hemodynamics in a recent analysis of 4,832 heart patients, but it was linked to lower stroke rates in cases of SAVR.

FDA expands indication for TAVR to low-risk patients

The FDA has expanded its indication for TAVR to low-risk patients, the agency announced August 16, approving a handful of valves for an intervention that was previously limited to intermediate- and high-risk patients.

Structural Heart Disease

FDA clears new AI model for MAC detection in routine imaging results

SCAI highlights the benefits of ICE-guided structural heart interventions

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

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

Medtronic gains key approval for LAA exclusion device