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.

Early TAVR for asymptomatic severe AS cuts costs, improves outcomes
The study found lifetime per-patient savings from early TAVR ranged from about $2,334 in the U.K. to $19,607 in Switzerland.
Myval TAVR valve outperforms Sapien and Evolut in the late-breaking LANDMARK trial
The LANDMARK trial continues to show positive outcomes for the TAVR valve made in India.
Siemens Healthineers and Boston Scientific partner on next-generation intracardiac echo for LAAO
The agreement also will make Boston Scientific the exclusive distributor for the new ICE catheter optimized for left atrial appendage occlusion workflows.
A new alternative: Surgeons, cardiologists gather to learn about robotic aortic valve replacement
The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute is hosting a two-day symposium focused on exploring the benefits and long-term potential of robotic aortic valve replacement. Fans of the procedure say it represents a safe, effective alternative to TAVR and SAVR in patients with severe aortic stenosis.
Prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR may not negatively impact quality of life
Researchers warned that “aggressive procedural modifications” should not be necessary during TAVR to mitigate the risk of prosthesis-patient mismatch. This appears to be true for patients receiving both self-expanding and balloon-expandable TAVR valves.

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.

Edwards Lifesciences gains CE mark approval for Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system

Old age, RBBB help predict when TTVR patients may require a permanent pacemaker

Though just a small, single-facility study, these findings help care teams know what to look for when performing transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement.

Medtronic has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Evolut FX+ transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system for the treatment of symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Medtronic receives updated FDA approval for redo TAVR

The company also launched a new clinical trial designed to follow redo TAVR patients who present with symptomatic bioprosthetic valve failure for up to five years.

CRF unveils late-breaking clinical trials for TCT 2025 in San Francisco

This year marks the 37th annual gathering of the popular Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference. What started as a small gathering in 1988 has grown into one of interventional cardiology’s biggest events.

Joan Michaels, RN, director of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) National Cardiovascular Data Registry (NCDR) Transcatheter Valve Therapies (TVT) and IMPACT congenital heart registries, explains how TVT has helped reshape cardiology and the heart team approach.

Exploring the lasting legacy of the STS/ACC TVT Registry

"We're constantly trying to keep our fingers on the pulse of what's happening in the real world," explained Joan Michaels, RN, director of the STS/ACC TVT Registry. "This is not a trial; this is real-world experience."

FTC challenge to Edwards JenaValve acquisition could delay FDA approval

Edwards Lifesciences asked the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) this week to dismiss the complaint against the company's acquisition of JenaValve this week. A healthcare market analysis firm also said the FTC actions will likely impact the timing of an FDA clearance of the Trilogy heart valve.

TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis: Does device type matter?

More and more care teams are treating BAV stenosis with TAVR instead of surgical aortic valve replacement. Self-expanding and balloon-expandable valves appear to have their own benefits—as well as their own risks.

cardiologists going through the certification process

Hemodynamic deterioration 1 year after TAVR found in 6% of patients

Hemodynamic valve deterioration after one year was more common in patients with a small aortic annulus. In fact, receiving a larger valve was linked to a “protective” quality that appeared to help keep the risk of such complications to a minimum.

Structural Heart Disease

Early TAVR for asymptomatic severe AS cuts costs, improves outcomes

Myval TAVR valve outperforms Sapien and Evolut in the late-breaking LANDMARK trial

Siemens Healthineers and Boston Scientific partner on next-generation intracardiac echo for LAAO

A new alternative: Surgeons, cardiologists gather to learn about robotic aortic valve replacement

Prosthesis-patient mismatch after TAVR may not negatively impact quality of life