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.

PHOTO GALLERY: The trends and technologies at ASE 2023

Browse through some of the many highlights from the American Society of Echocardiography's 2023 annual meeting. 

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Interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists ask CMS to clarify policy after unexpected denials

Three cardiology societies have reached out to CMS with questions about how MACs are interpreting a policy related to shared decision-making. 

Balloon expansion deployment of an Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device.

TAVR vs. surgery: Exploring 5-year outcomes among intermediate-risk patients

A group of renowned TAVR specialists examined data from 783 pairs of intermediate-risk patients, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

No contrast transcatheter aortic valve replacement

New ‘zero-contrast’ TAVR technique shows promise in pilot study

Researchers think this new technique could be beneficial for patients presenting with both severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and chronic kidney disease. 

MASA Valve PECA Labs polymeric pulmonary valve Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

New polymeric heart valve, designed to grow with pediatric patients, implanted for first time

The new-look pulmonary valve features a proprietary bi-leaflet design and was designed to grow with the patient, limiting the need for repeat surgeries.

The Edwards Lifesciences Sapien transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device in a heart model used to show patients how the device works.

Balloon-expandable valves deliver better short-term TAVR outcomes than self-expandable valves

A new meta-analysis, published in Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine, focused on data from nearly 3,000 patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

elderly patient using virtual reality TAVR transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Virtual reality during TAVR: Distracting patients linked to key benefits

When patients wear VR glasses during transcatheter aortic valve replacement, they say it helps time go by more quickly and reduces anxiety.

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How to encourage shared decision-making when treating aortic stenosis

Diagnosing, treating and managing aortic stenosis is often a challenging task, especially when the patient has a long life expectancy. Shared decision-making can make a significant impact, helping ensure the patient's values and preferences are taken into consideration.