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.

Patients requiring a permanent pacemaker after TAVR face higher long-term risk of death
As TAVR continues to grow in popularity, researchers noted, it becomes more and more important to know how different complications impact long-term outcomes.
CMS proposes Medicare coverage for T-TEER
CMS has proposed covering tricuspid TEER for patients who present with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation despite optimal medical therapy. The agency still has questions about the available data, however, and is seeking public comments as it makes its final decision.
Key takeaways from ACC.25: Advances in cardiovascular science
Former American College of Cardiology president Hadley Wilson, MD, executive vice chair of Atrium Health Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, explains his main takeaway messages from the ACC 2025 late-breaking trials.
New TAVR research explores adverse outcomes, disease progression in patients with asymptomatic severe AS
Two separate studies at ACC.25 explored data from the EARLY TAVR trial. One analysis included stroke findings that surprised researchers.
Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure
The positive data were presented as part of a late-breaking clinical trial at ACC.25 in Chicago. One cardiologist on stage for the presentation said these findings will impact the way he manages certain TAVR patients.

Cardiologists examine how residual TR after transcatheter tricuspid valve repair impacts survival

Researchers tracked data from more than 600 patients, noting that heart teams may want to reconsider how they classify residual TR after treatment.

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to new TMVR device from 4C Medical

The supra-annular AltaValve System was designed to treat both primary and secondary mitral regurgitation. It is implanted via transseptal access and positioned above the native mitral valve.

Cardiologist Heart Doctor Tablet Technology

TAVR, SAVR linked to comparable long-term outcomes, new meta-analysis confirms

Researchers tracked data from more than 7,500 patients, sharing their findings at EuroPCR 2024 in Paris and in JSCAI.

Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 Ultra Resilia TAVR

Updated balloon-expandable TAVR valve from Edwards outperforming its predecessors

The fifth-generation valve is associated with improved hemodynamic data and a reduced rate of paravalvular leak, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions and EuroIntervention.

doctor examines patient data on their tablet

Moderate aortic stenosis linked to heightened risk of death—should TAVR, surgery be considered?

Researchers tracked data from more than 400,000 patients for a new meta-analysis, presenting their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Interventional cardiologist James B. Hermiller, MD, is officially the new president of the Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI).

SCAI president begins term on optimistic note: ‘Our field’s future is brighter than ever’

Interventional cardiologist James B. Hermiller, MD, officially assumed the position at the end of SCAI 2024 Scientific Sessions.

The DurAVR TAVR system from Anteris Technologies

New-look TAVR valve shows early promise in patients with severe AS

One-year data presented at SCAI's annual meeting suggest interventional cardiologists could soon have a new way to treat severe aortic stenosis.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock

TAVR is also associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury in this patient population. In-hospital mortality rates, however, are similar between the two treatment options.

Structural Heart Disease

Patients requiring a permanent pacemaker after TAVR face higher long-term risk of death

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for T-TEER

Key takeaways from ACC.25: Advances in cardiovascular science

New TAVR research explores adverse outcomes, disease progression in patients with asymptomatic severe AS

Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure