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.

FDA clears TAVR guidewire built with BASILICA in mind
The Telltale system was designed to assist cardiologists when BASILICA is required prior to TAVR.
New technique could help when cardiologists repair 2 leaky heart valves at once
Performing M-TEER and T-TEER on the same patient using a single guide catheter appears to be both safe and effective. Researchers shared their experience with this approach in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions.
‘Strongest growth in over a decade’: Heart tech helps Medtronic beat earnings expectations
The company's PFA and TAVR technologies both played key roles in the successful second quarter. In addition, Medtronic expects its place in the renal denervation market to make a major impact going forward.
Did Boston Scientific pull the plug too early on TAVR devices? Cardiologists weigh in
Boston Scientific stopped selling its Acurate TAVR systems after they underperformed in a few key trials and failed to gain FDA approval. Was it the right call?
Early TAVR for asymptomatic severe AS cuts costs, improves outcomes
The study found lifetime per-patient savings from early TAVR ranged from about $2,334 in the U.K. to $19,607 in Switzerland.

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

Performing PCI and TAVR together may improve in-hospital outcomes, long-term survival

When patients require PCI and TAVR, performing them at the same time is associated with both short- and long-term benefits.

Cardiologists perform first TTVR of its kind on recent heart transplant recipient

When a 50-year-old patient developed severe TR just months after receiving a heart transplant, the safest treatment option was to implant an Evoque TTVR device.

Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, PhD, director of aortic surgery for the Mount Sinai Health System, explains the long-term outcomes of the Ross procedure, where a diseased aortic valve is surgically replaced with the patient's own pulmonary valve.

Long-term data highlight Ross procedure's safety, effectiveness in younger patients

TAVR may get more attention, but the Ross procedure has also gained significant momentum in recent years. Ismail El-Hamamsy, MD, PhD, detailed his own team's success with the complex procedure.

FDA clears new AI model for MAC detection in routine imaging results

The advanced algorithm was designed to detect and evaluate mitral annular calcification on routine, non-gated CT scans. It is now available as part of Carebricks, a generative AI platform from Bunkerhill Health.

SCAI highlights the benefits of ICE-guided structural heart interventions

ICE is gaining momentum as a helpful imaging option during structural heart interventions, according to a new SCAI position statement. TEE and TTE remain incredibly important, but there are times when ICE can provide the guidance necessary.

DAPT during valve-in-valve TAVR may reduce stroke risk—more data still required

New research suggests there may be a cardiovascular benefit to considering dual antiplatelet therapy for valve-in-valve TAVR patients.

Cardiologists, heart surgeons sound alarm over widespread use of TAVR in low-risk patients

Are too many low-risk patients with severe AS undergoing TAVR instead of SAVR? According to one group of clinicians, "a significant public health concern may be looming."

Medtronic Penditure Left Atrial Appendage (LAA) Exclusion System

Medtronic gains key approval for LAA exclusion device

The FDA-cleared device from Medtronic, which arrives pre-loaded on a single-use delivery system, is now set to launch in Europe.

Structural Heart Disease

FDA clears TAVR guidewire built with BASILICA in mind

New technique could help when cardiologists repair 2 leaky heart valves at once

‘Strongest growth in over a decade’: Heart tech helps Medtronic beat earnings expectations

Did Boston Scientific pull the plug too early on TAVR devices? Cardiologists weigh in

Early TAVR for asymptomatic severe AS cuts costs, improves outcomes