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.

Douglas Overbey, MD, an assistant professor in the department of surgery at Duke University School of Medicine, checks in with 9-year-old Kensley Frizzell as she recovers from heart surgery. Image courtesy of Duke Health and Duke University School of Medicine.

Surgeons make history, perform world’s first living mitral valve replacement

The historic heart procedure was part of a series of operations that saved the lives of three young girls. “The whole situation is extraordinary, whether you look at it from the standpoint of a scientific breakthrough or the average person’s point of view,” one parent said.

The Medtronic CoreValve Evolut and the Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 TAVR valves.

Second-generation TAVR valves from Medtronic, Edwards Lifesciences and Boston Scientific are all associated with similar seven-year outcomes, according to a new retrospective study out of Italy.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Know your options: What cardiologists recommend when alternative access is required for TAVR

Transfemoral TAVR is not always a viable option. In those instances, the two most effective alternatives are transcarotid access and transcaval access, according to a new SCAI expert consensus statement.

Heart surgery during pregnancy: Tracking the safety of a rare, sometimes unavoidable, scenario

How safe is it to perform cardiac surgery on a pregnant patient? When should care teams try to deliver the baby first and then complete the procedure? A team of Mayo Clinic researchers addressed those very questions, and many others, in a new analysis.

Aakriti Gupta, MD, Cedars-Sinai, explains use of cerebral embolic protection devices in TAVR

An updated look at the use of cerebral embolic protection devices during TAVR

Cardiologist Aakriti Gupta, MD, MSc, spoke to Cardiovascular Business about the latest data and trends associated with using cerebral embolic protection devices during TAVR to lower the risk of stroke.

A baby in New York underwent open heart surgery as it was being delivered in what is believed to be the first operation of its kind.

Surgeons first in world to perform open heart surgery on baby mid-delivery

The baby had been diagnosed with an especially challenging case of hypoplastic left heart syndrome.

Cardiologist questions FDA’s approval process for high-risk medical devices

The technology used to diagnose, treat and manage cardiovascular disease is always evolving, keeping FDA officials quite busy. But have the agency's standards been slipping in recent years? A cardiologist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center explored that very question.

Veterans with heart disease often receive better care through VA than they would elsewhere

Military veterans face an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, making it especially important to ensure they receive high-quality care.

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