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.

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.
Bringing state-of-the-art healthcare to Florida heart patients
Naples Comprehensive Health is building up what it hopes will be a nationally recognized cardiology program. Robert Cubeddu, MD, and Dee Dee Wang, MD, spoke with Cardiovascular Business about the journey so far.
Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS
Aortic valve replacement is likely inevitable for patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Immediately performing TAVR or SAVR, however, may not always be the answer.

Edwards Lifesciences gains CE mark approval for Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system

Edwards gains CE mark approval for new tricuspid valve replacement device

The approval represents a significant moment in the treatment of structural heart disease. Edwards will share updated data on the device at TCT 2023 in San Francisco.

SAVR associated with ‘excellent’ long-term survival rates, new research confirms

Even as TAVR continues to build momentum as the go-to treatment option for many patients, researchers are keeping a close eye on the long-term safety and effectiveness of SAVR.

A late-breaking science presentation at the annual TCT interventional cardiology meeting.

Late-breaking clinical trials at TCT 2023

Here is a list of all the late-breaking clinical trials being presented at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2023 annual meeting Oct. 23-26, 2023, in San Francisco.

The central figure from the study "Predictors and Variation in Cardiac Rehabilitation Participation After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement study 2023," showing the wide variation in the percentage of patients who receive post-TAVR rehab among TAVR patients in Michigan.

Less than one-third of TAVR patients enter cardiac rehab

Only about 30% of patients who underwent TAVR in Michigan participated in cardiac rehabilitation within 90 days after discharge.

Medtronic's Evolut FX TAVR valve, designed with 3 golden markers that improve alignment

Medtronic receives CE mark approval for Evolut FX TAVR system

The self-expanding valve, already approved by the FDA, was designed with three gold markers to boost implanter efficiency, an updated catheter tip and a more flexible delivery system.

The SavvyWire TAVR guidewire by OpSens / Haemonetics

Haemonetics to acquire medical device company known for its TAVR guidewires for $253M

Haemonetics expects the deal to increase its short- and long-term revenue. The all-cash transaction should close by January 2024.

AI artificial intelligence stethoscope doctor

AI model detects multiple heart issues in a single 10-second audio clip

The advanced algorithm achieved a sensitivity of 93% and specificity of 98%. It was trained to identify up to five different valvular diseases at the same time from a single audio clip.

The Pioneer TAVR system from KOKA Lifesciences

New TAVR system for pure aortic regurgitation used for first time, linked to ‘excellent’ short-term outcomes

Researchers explored data from the first 10 patients treated with a new self-expanding TAVR device from KOKA Lifesciences. After 30 days, there were no patient deaths and only one adverse event.

Structural Heart Disease

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

Bringing state-of-the-art healthcare to Florida heart patients

Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS