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.

Robotic mitral valve repair linked to benefits for elderly patients
Robotic and traditional mitral valve repair surgeries are mostly associated with similar outcomes when treating elderly patients. In some ways, however, robotic procedures may be preferred.
Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures
Consulting fees and other vendor payments do not appear to be directly influencing U.S. physicians to implant more Watchman devices. Researcher Alexander Kolomaya, MD, discussed his team's findings on this topic.
Self-expanding TAVR valves deliver outcomes and durability comparable to surgery after 5 years
Michael Reardon, MD, detailed five-year data out of ACC.25 that found Medtronic's Evolut TAVR platform performs as well as SAVR—and even better in some ways.
Underweight TAVR patients face higher mortality risk—obesity makes no significant impact
Reviewing data from more than 6,000 patients, researchers found little evidence of the "obesity paradox" observed elsewhere. Underweight TAVR patients, however, may face some significant long-term risks.
SCAI pushes for better radiation protection in cath labs
Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions President James Hermiller, Jr., MD, explains SCAI's push for wider adoption of new, innovative cath lab radiation protection technology to reduce radiation exposure and the need for lead aprons.

Boston Scientific has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Watchman FLX Pro left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) device

Boston Scientific gains FDA approval for Watchman FLX Pro LAAC device

This represents the latest iteration of the Watchman technology, which was first approved by the FDA back in 2020.

Bleeding events after TAVR: An updated look at a serious side effect

Researchers explored data from more than 2,300 patients, categorizing all bleeding events based on updated VARC-3 definitions. The team's final analysis was published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

stroke brain dementia alzheimer's puzzle mental health

Delirium after TAVR: A common side effect linked to increased mortality

Temporary changes in cognition, including disorganized thinking, are seen in a significant number of patients following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Confirmed: Redo TAVR with balloon-expandable valves is safe and effective

The study, based on STS/ACC registry data, represents a collaboration between several leading TAVR specialists.

CTA images before TAVR to screen for coronary artery disease

Cardiac CT before TAVR detects CAD with high accuracy, suggesting a reduced need for invasive imaging

New research from a team of specialists at Cleveland Clinic included data from more than 2,000 TAVR patients.

How monitoring MR can help cardiologists anticipate TAVR outcomes in patients with low-flow, low-gradient AS

Researchers uncovered new details about how mitral regurgitation can impact one-year TAVR outcomes, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Performing valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement (ViV TMVR) with conscious sedation (CS) or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) instead of general anesthesia (GA) is safe and effective, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Cardiologists detail long-term outcomes of valve-in-valve TMVR

New research published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology represents one the most detailed pictures to date of the long-term impact of ViV TMVR.

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

TAVR safe and effective for severe AS patients with a very low gradient

Yes, all-cause cause mortality is higher among TAVR patients with a very low baseline gradient, but the difference is almost entirely due to those patients presenting with more comorbidities.

Structural Heart Disease

Robotic mitral valve repair linked to benefits for elderly patients

Vendor payments not responsible for rising popularity of LAAO procedures

Self-expanding TAVR valves deliver outcomes and durability comparable to surgery after 5 years

Underweight TAVR patients face higher mortality risk—obesity makes no significant impact

SCAI pushes for better radiation protection in cath labs