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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Harvard researchers develop 3D model of human ventricle

Harvard University bioengineers have created a 3D model of a human’s left ventricle that they believe could be used to test drugs and study diseases.

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Researchers: More evidence needed for TAVR in young patients

Researchers from Weill Cornell Medicine in New York are worried the extension of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) to younger, intermediate-risk patients is outpacing clinical evidence.

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Study calls for earlier intervention on mitral valves

Mitral valve operations are the fastest-growing type of heart procedure, according to an analysis of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ Adult Cardiac Surgery database—but researchers believe interventions at earlier stages could further improve outcomes.

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Cardiology societies weigh in on TAVR volume requirements

As CMS revisits the procedural volume requirements for centers to start and maintain a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) program, several professional societies argued for direct TAVR experience to factor more strongly into the new standards.

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How have pediatric VADs advanced and what’s next?

Pediatric ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been associated with better survival to heart transplantation in recent years, but infants and those with congenital heart disease (CHD) continue to have worse outcomes, researchers reported in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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Valve-in-valve TAVR outcomes favorable to native valve procedures

Valve-in-valve TAVR (ViV-TAVR) of a failed surgical valve was associated with comparable—and perhaps even better—clinical outcomes when compared to TAVR performed in native valves, according to a registry study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

3rd-generation MitraClip device approved by FDA

The FDA has approved the third generation of the MitraClip, which treats mitral regurgitation without open-heart surgery, device manufacturer Abbott announced July 12.

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Mitochondrial transplants may revive damaged heart cells

Scientists are beginning to explore whether infusing heart tissue with mitochondria can restore function to oxygen-deprived cells after a heart attack. The technique has potential in both pediatric and adult patients, according to an article in The New York Times.