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.

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TAVR safe and effective for patients with mixed aortic valve disease

MAVD patients did face a higher risk of requiring a permanent pacemaker, researchers noted, though the reason for this trend remains unclear. 

CT-FFR before TAVR improves detection of coronary artery disease, limits invasive imaging exams

CT-FFR, which recently got a boost from the 2021 AHA/ACC chest pain guidelines, could play a key role for clinicians hoping to screen TAVR patients for coronary heart disease. 

Balloon valvuloplasty months after implantation is a safe and effective treatment option for patients with transcatheter heart valve (THV) dysfunction, according to a new analysis published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Late balloon valvuloplasty safe and effective for patients with THV dysfunction

The median time from heart valve implantation to balloon dilatation was 4.6 months.

TAVR Medtronic Evolut EXPAND TAVR II Pivotal Trial,

Is TAVR a sensible choice for patients with moderate, symptomatic aortic stenosis? Medtronic aims to find out

The trial is expected to enroll up to 650 patients from as many as 100 different facilities throughout the world.

transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure guided by CT fusion imaging on a patient with heart failure and a blood clot

Cardiologists and surgeons perform first TAVR using CT imaging guidance on HF patient with blood clot

“We believe this case is potentially groundbreaking," one interventional cardiologist said. 

The steps involved to gain transcaval access between the inferior vena cava and the aorta to avoid problematic anatomical areas that would have otherwise disqualified a patient for a femoral access TAVR procedure. Illustration of the NIH

Transcaval TAVR outperforms transaxillary TAVR when femoral access is not an option

Transcaval TAVR was linked to a much lower stroke rate and fewer bleeding complications. 

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Real-world Watchman patients experiencing fewer complications after LAAO than seen in clinical trials

The study's authors compared findings from the PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL clinical trials with data from the NCDR LAAO Registry, focusing on short-term and long-term outcomes. 

interventional cardiology heart failure cleveland clinic

4 promising heart failure therapies interventional cardiologists should keep an eye on

The devices, currently being investigated by teams of heart specialists, could make a big impact in the years ahead.