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.

‘A compelling alternative’: Polymer heart valve receives first commercial approval of its kind
A new surgical mitral valve from Foldax will now be commercially available in India. The valve is built using LifePolymer, a proprietary material that does not include animal tissue.
TAVR specialists come together to explore new data, patient selection and much more
Care teams have a lot to consider when choosing the right treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Two cardiologists and a veteran cardiothoracic surgeon are taking part in a new webinar focused on that very topic.
Heart surgeons perform world’s first robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement
The patient, 67, presented with a failing TAVR valve and a leaky mitral valve. She had undergone TAVR four years prior, but premature structural valve degeneration made a full replacement necessary. Surgeons ultimately removed the TAVR valve in addition to replacing her aortic and mitral valves—all with the help of advanced robotics.
Real-world data favor SAVR over TAVR when younger patients need aortic valve replacement
Researchers in Italy tracked data from more than 7,000 patients who underwent AVR between the ages of 65 and 80. TAVR was associated with a significantly higher long-term risk of mortality.
Heart patients benefit when cardiologists follow a standardized TAVR protocol
Using a standardized approach, including the cusp overlap technique, is associated with improved patient outcomes when implanting Medtronic's self-expanding TAVR valves. Researchers tracked data from more than 600 patients treated all over the world, presenting their findings in JSCAI.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Structural Heart Disease

‘A compelling alternative’: Polymer heart valve receives first commercial approval of its kind

TAVR specialists come together to explore new data, patient selection and much more

Heart surgeons perform world’s first robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement

Real-world data favor SAVR over TAVR when younger patients need aortic valve replacement

Heart patients benefit when cardiologists follow a standardized TAVR protocol