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.

TAVR still a safe option for patients with nickel allergies
More research is still needed, as this study only included data from a small number of patients, but TAVR was not linked to any severe adverse events or allergic reactions.
Why patient selection is so important when performing M-TEER
As mitral transcatheter edge-to-edge repair continues to gain momentum in the United States, a new study of CMS data examines what happens to patient outcomes when the procedure fails.
Advances in electrosurgical techniques have helped thousands of transcatheter valve patients
Toby Rogers, MD, associate professor of medicine at Georgetown University and an interventional cardiologist at MedStar, explains how electrosurgical procedures for transcaval access have helped large numbers of patients receive transcatheter heart valves who otherwise would have been disqualified due to anatomical issues.
No sedation required: Local anesthesia enough for most TAVR patients
New data out of ESC Congress 2025 suggest care teams can take a more minimalist approach during a majority of TAVR cases and only treat patients with local anesthesia. In some cases, however, sedation will still be necessary.
Abbott receives expanded approval for Navitor TAVR system
Abbott's TAVR valve now has CE mark approval for treating low-, intermediate- and high-risk patients who present with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis. The news comes as new data on the valve's safety and effectiveness were just published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Bravery of Andes plane crash survivor, now a pediatric cardiologist, on display in Netflix film ‘Society of the Snow’

Cardiologist Roberto Canessa, MD, was just 19 when the plane he was on—Uruguayan Air Force Flight 571—crashed in the Andes in 1972. He and another survivor trekked in the cold for 38 miles to find help, leading to the group's rescue.

New expert guidelines: Start PHV evaluations with echocardiography, but other imaging modalities can provide value

New guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography, made in collaboration with the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, represent an update of the group's original recommendations from 2009.

Occlutech gains FDA approval for occluder device for atrial septal defects

According to CEO Sabine Bois, a veteran of the medical device industry, this approval represents a "significant leap forward" in the company's commitment to heart patients.

Self-expanding TAVR system with new sealing cuff linked to high success rate, favorable outcomes

The valve, designed with a new-look sealing cuff for limiting paravalvular regurgitation, gained FDA approval in January 2023.

TAVR patients face a higher risk of stroke for up to 2 years

A majority of strokes after TAVR occur in the first 48 hours, but patients remain at a significantly higher risk for much longer.

Endocarditis after SAVR more likely with bovine valves

Researchers examined data from more than 21,000 patients treated from 1997 to 2018, publishing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Acute kidney injury after TAVR linked to certain risks, but most patients have a full recovery

“These findings are highly pertinent in a clinical setting," researchers explained.

Medical device company raises $13M for new mitral valve repair technology

To date, the company has raised $42 million to develop its transcatheter mitral valve repair system.

Structural Heart Disease

TAVR still a safe option for patients with nickel allergies

Why patient selection is so important when performing M-TEER

Advances in electrosurgical techniques have helped thousands of transcatheter valve patients

No sedation required: Local anesthesia enough for most TAVR patients

Abbott receives expanded approval for Navitor TAVR system