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.

First-in-Man Experience of Robotic-Assisted Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair With Pure Echo Guidance

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER

A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.

cardiologists going through the certification process

SCAI 2024 Scientific Sessions to focus on TAVR, PAD and other key trends in interventional cardiology

Interventional cardiologists from all over the world will gather for three days of educational sessions, late-breaking presentations, live cases and more. The festivities begin Thursday, May 2, in Long Beach, California.

doctor patient discharge after heart surgery

Next-day discharge after TAVR with a self-expanding valve: 4 key takeaways

Researchers explored STS/ACR data from nearly 30,000 TAVR patients, presenting their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons launches new risk calculators for SAVR after TAVR, other key heart surgeries

STS risk calculators are known as a go-to resource for cardiologists, surgeons and any other healthcare providers who manage the care of heart patients.

An 86-year-old patient is showing signs of improvement six months after receiving the world’s first implant of a new-look medical device for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR), according to new data published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.[1] The device in question, the Tricuspid Flow Optimizer, was developed by Triflo Cardiovascular, a U.S.-based biomedical company founded in 2017 by a team of structural heart specialists.

Cardiologists share update after world’s first implant of new optimizer device for tricuspid regurgitation

The Tricuspid Flow Optimizer was developed by Triflo Cardiovascular, a U.S.-based healthcare technology company founded by structural heart specialists.

old elderly couple coffee drink retired love romance man

TAVR, SAVR linked to similar QOL improvements for intermediate-risk patients after five years

TAVR was initially associated with greater benefits than surgery, but that difference faded by the end of the first year.

Q&A: Cleveland Clinic’s Lars Svensson previews AATS annual meeting

Svensson, a prominent voice in cardiothoracic surgery, said he has seen a rise in enthusiasm ahead of this year's meeting.

doctor examines patient data on their tablet

TAVR or SAVR? ChatGPT could help cardiologists decide

Researchers asked ChatGPT to make treatment decisions for patients with severe aortic stenosis, comparing its answers to the recommendations of a full heart team.

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