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.

TAVR still a safe option for patients with nickel allergies
More research is still needed, as this study only included data from a small number of patients, but TAVR was not linked to any severe adverse events or allergic reactions.
Why patient selection is so important when performing M-TEER
As mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair continues to gain momentum in the United States, a new study of CMS data examines what happens to patient outcomes when the procedure fails.
Advances in electrosurgical techniques have helped thousands of transcatheter valve patients
Toby Rogers, MD, associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University and an interventional cardiologist at MedStar, explains how electrosurgical procedures for transcaval access have helped large numbers of patients receive transcatheter heart valves who otherwise would have been disqualified due to anatomical issues.
No sedation required: Local anesthesia enough for most TAVR patients
New data out of ESC Congress 2025 suggest care teams can take a more minimalist approach during a majority of TAVR cases and only treat patients with local anesthesia. In some cases, however, sedation will still be necessary.
Abbott receives expanded approval for Navitor TAVR system
Abbott's TAVR valve now has CE mark approval for treating low-, intermediate- and high-risk patients who present with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The news comes as new data on the valve's safety and effectiveness were just published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

How pairing SAVR with additional heart surgeries affects mortality risk

When older patients undergo SAVR with concomitant procedures, it increases their short- and long-term risks of mortality. Should this influence care teams to consider more transcatheter treatments?

Toby Rogers, MD, Medstar, discusses a new dedicated device for BASILICA used in TAVR.

New device could make it easier than ever for cardiologists to perform BASILICA before TAVR

Toby Rogers, MD, PhD, noted that BASILICA is a fairly complex procedure. Using this advanced technology, however, could make it easier to perform and improve patient access.

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Stroke risk after TAVR still much higher for female patients

Women are associated with a significantly higher rate of in-hospital disabling strokes than men, according to a new study of nearly 380,000 TAVR patients. What can cardiologists do to help limit these complications?

First patient treated with BASILICA before valve-in-valve TAVR in a mechanically-expanded valve

A heart team chose to perform BASILICA before valve-in-valve TAVR in a failed Lotus device to help minimize the risk of complications. These scenarios will likely grow more and more common as patients outlive their TAVR valves.

FDA clears AI-powered software for real-time TAVR guidance

Caranx Medical is focused on using AI, robotics and other advanced technologies to expand patient access to life-saving procedures. This new software, for example, helps guide cardiologists through complex TAVR procedures.

The balloon-expandable Myval transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) valve is associated with positive real-world data after four years.

Myval TAVR valve associated with positive durability data after 4 years

Researchers have been spending more and more time evaluating the Myval TAVR valve from Indian medtech company Meril Life Sciences. The balloon-expandable device is available in some parts of the world, but not the United States.

An FDA panel will discuss its recommendations related to Abbott's TriClip G4 transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system for tricuspid regurgitation.

Medicare now covers TriClip procedures for patients with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation

CMS has finalized a new national coverage determination for T-TEER, sometimes known as transcatheter tricuspid valve repair. Abbott's TriClip is the only device approved by the FDA for T-TEER, but other treatment options are under development.

New TAVR valve from MiRus linked to positive early outcomes

The Siegel TAVR valve includes no nickel or cobalt. In fact, its frame was built using special alloys specifically developed by MiRus.

Structural Heart Disease

TAVR still a safe option for patients with nickel allergies

Why patient selection is so important when performing M-TEER

Advances in electrosurgical techniques have helped thousands of transcatheter valve patients

No sedation required: Local anesthesia enough for most TAVR patients

Abbott receives expanded approval for Navitor TAVR system