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.

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

Heart damage after TAVR: Follow-up imaging helps cardiologists anticipate problems

While cardiac damage reverses in many patients following treatment, it can actually continue to get worse in others.

TricValve Transcatheter Bicaval Valves System and HeartMate II LVAD

Cardiologists shed new light on treating severe tricuspid regurgitation in high-risk heart failure patients

The 80-year-old patient was experiencing severe TR and already had a HeartMate II LVAD.

Mitral valve repair: How a minimally invasive approach compares to conventional surgery

Researchers compared minithoracotomy, a minimally invasive procedure for treating degenerative mitral regurgitation, with conventional surgery, sharing their findings in JAMA. The research was previously presented as a late-breaking study at ACC.23.

Rethinking SAVR in the TAVR era: New Cleveland Clinic study explores data from nearly 3,500 patients

SAVR may be even safer for low-risk patients than previously believed, according to new research published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. What does this tell us about patient care going forward?

Cardiologists perform world’s first TAVR with new ultra-low profile valve

The 88-year-old patient was originally not seen as a viable candidate for TAVR or surgery.

The Wattson temporary pacing guidewire from Teleflex

FDA clears new guidewire used for valve delivery and ventricular pacing during TAVR, BAV procedures

The device, now on display at TVT 2023 in Phoenix, is scheduled to begin hitting the market in the months ahead.

Antithrombotic therapy after TAVR: Comparing warfarin to DAPT, SAPT

A new retrospective study from the Mayo Clinic focused on patients with no other need for anticoagulation.

Conformal Medical raises $35M to continue development, research of next-gen LAAO device

The new investments were announced as the company continues developing its CLAAS device for sealing the LAA during LAAO procedures.

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