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.

Edwards Lifesciences announces key approval for new mitral valve replacement system
The Sapien M3 device was designed to treat symptomatic mitral regurgitation in patients who are not suitable candidates for surgery or transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.
Why surgery, not TAVR, remains the best treatment for some AS patients
TAVR is being used in more patients to treat severe aortic stenosis. However, according to a new commentary piece, SAVR is still the smartest treatment option for certain populations, including younger patients with bicuspid aortic valves.
First 500 patients in Align-AR trial using TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation show strong outcomes
Raj Makkar, MD, Cedars-Sinai, explains the late-breaking data from the Align-AR trial on the first 500 patients treated for aortic regurgitation using the Jena Valve TAVR device.
Right heart cardiac ultrasound contrast agent for shunts enters U.S. trial
Currently there are no FDA cleared echocardiography contrast agents commercially available for use on the right side of the heart to detect shunts, but a new agent that promises to improve workflow and imaging is about to enter a U.S. trial.
5-year Evolut Low Risk Data: Durable clinical outcomes, outstanding valve performance
The late-breaking five-year results of the Evolut Low-Risk Trial presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2025 meeting in late March, showed positive results for the Evolut transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system vs. surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

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Delayed discharge after TAVR linked to higher mortality

A late-breaking study presented at SCAI 2018 demonstrated that patients who stay in the hospital for more than 72 hours after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) are more likely to die in the following year than those with earlier discharges.

Real-world MitraClip data show positive 1-year outcomes

A post-approval study of Abbott’s MitraClip device showed positive one-year results for the first 2,000 patients entered into the national Transcatheter Valve Therapy registry, according to late-breaking science presented April 26 at SCAI 2018 in San Diego.

Researchers develop first tool to predict readmission rates after TAVR

The first-ever risk score for predicting 30-day readmission rates in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) can be easily folded into electronic medical records and inform perioperative care decisions, researchers reported at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions 2018 Scientific Sessions.

Two-Year Feasibility Study Results Encouraging with Medtronic Harmony(TM) Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve

DUBLIN and SAN DIEGO — April 26, 2018 — Medtronic plc (NYSE: MDT) today announced two-year outcomes for the Harmony(TM) Transcatheter Pulmonary Valve (TPV) from its early feasibility study. Presented at the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) 41st Annual Scientific Sessions, data from 18 patients followed out to two years revealed the Harmony TPV showed solid valve function and no paravalvular leak (PVL).

TMVR linked to high early mortality, persistent improvement among survivors

Transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) is associated with high rates of mortality in patients with severe mitral annular calcification, but survivors show significant improvements in heart-related symptoms.

Researchers propose tweak to pulse oximetry testing for CHD

Modifying the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) screening algorithm to include one repeat pulse oximetry test instead of two could identify more infants with other serious diseases that require attention, according to a study published online April 24 in Pediatrics.

CHD patients have 8 times the risk of hemorrhagic stroke at young age

Children and young adults who were born with congenital heart disease (CHD) have an eight-fold risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) when compared to the general population, according to a Swedish study published online April 6 in Stroke. However, the absolute risk of hemorrhagic stroke remained low for both groups.

Structural Heart Disease

Edwards Lifesciences announces key approval for new mitral valve replacement system

Why surgery, not TAVR, remains the best treatment for some AS patients

First 500 patients in Align-AR trial using TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation show strong outcomes

Right heart cardiac ultrasound contrast agent for shunts enters U.S. trial

5-year Evolut Low Risk Data: Durable clinical outcomes, outstanding valve performance