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.

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement
Edwards Lifesciences sent a formal request to CMS in February after its Evoque TTVR device gained FDA approval. The agency is now accepting public comments for 30 days.
Hydra TAVR valve gains key approval as global reach continues to grow
The self-expanding device is now available in more than 20 countries and received CE mark approval back in 2020. However, it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States.
SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves
BAV patients are often excluded from TAVR trials, creating uncertainty about the best way to treat that population when aortic valve replacement is required. To learn more, researchers tracked CMS data from 2018 to 2022, presenting their findings in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks
While the technology and techniques associated with TAVR have advanced over the years, treating patients who present with baseline atrial fibrillation is still associated with certain risks.
Heart surgeons detail world’s first robotic heart procedure of its kind
The care team behind the very first robotic aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery has written about the experience in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The group discussed the development of the technique, how the patient was chosen for treatment and other key details.

Matt Martinez, MD, Morristown Medical Center HCM program, explains how hypertrophic cardiomyopathy patient management is changing.

Exercise plays a key part in HCM management

Matthew Martinez, MD, detailed the many ways HCM care management is changing during an exclusive interview at ASE 2023.

July 26, 2023

Permanent pacemakers after TAVR: Tracking the impact of modern self-expanding valves

Researchers explored data from more than 3,000 TAVR patients, presenting their results in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

July 21, 2023

K-Clip annuloplasty system for tricuspid regurgitation by Shanghai Huihe Medical Technology Co.

Cardiologists detail world's first use of new annuloplasty system for tricuspid regurgitation

Early data suggest the new transcatheter tricuspid valve repair device could make a big impact on patient care, but additional research is still necessary.

July 20, 2023

Image of a bioprosthetic valve within the RVOT from the SCCT's congenital heart disease guidelines

SCCT shares new recommendations on use of CT imaging to guide congenital heart disease treatment

The group collaborated with two other medical societies, SCAI and CHSS, on the expert consensus document.

July 20, 2023

VDyne Valve for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement

Cardiologists highlight early success of new TTVR system for tricuspid regurgitation

Results from a first-in-human study suggest this new-look device could provide cardiologists and their care teams with another way to treat tricuspid regurgitation in high-risk patients.

July 19, 2023

TriClip triumphs: Tricuspid edge-to-edge repair linked to strong 30-day outcomes in real-world setting

The new study, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, focused on more than 500 patients treated with Abbott’s TriClip device in Europe.

July 18, 2023