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: Electrophysiology advances at Heart Rhythm 2023

Heart Rhythm 2023 in New Orleans brought together EP experts from all over the world. Scroll through a large selection of photos from the big event. 

EnCompass Technologies F2 embolic filter device TAVR embolic device

Interventional cardiologists perform world’s first TAVR with new embolic protection device

The device, designed with improved filtration and stability in mind, is now being investigated as part of a new pilot study. 

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TAVR controversy: Surgeon fired after saying cardiologist treated patients without proper credentials

An Ohio doctor allegedly performed multiple procedures without the proper credentials. A vascular surgeon is now out of work for sharing the story with a local media outlet. 

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TAVR among 90-year-old patients: An updated look at mortality, hospital costs and more

In-hospital mortality and other key outcomes have improved in recent years, but treating these older patients is still associated with certain challenges. 

The DurAVR transcatheter heart valve (THV), developed by Minnesota-based Anteris Technologies

New biomimetic TAVR valve, the first of its kind, linked to strong performance after 1 year

The DurAVR transcatheter heart valve, developed by Minnesota-based Anteris Technologies, was designed to move and perform like a healthy, pre-disease native aortic valve.

Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve

Medtronic’s Harmony TPV system linked to ‘encouraging’ 1-year outcomes in new pooled analysis

The new study, based on “the largest cohort to date of Harmony TPV recipients," was published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Abbott TriClip device for TEER

EuroPCR 2023: Late-breaking research examines the latest in TEER, TAVR and PCI outcomes

Catch up on key late-breaking research from Abbott, Edwards Lifesciences and Philips presented at the four-day meeting in Paris. 

Innovation in the cath lab: Cardiologists develop, perform new interventional heart procedure

Interventional cardiologists in Detroit developed the new technique with a specific patient in mind. One specialist described it as an "exciting breakthrough."