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.

At a crossroads: Surgical heart valve innovation slows as transcatheter treatments keep evolving
Has the success of TAVR and other interventional techniques had a negative impact on surgical valve innovation? Two surgeons shared their concerns in a new commentary.
Polymer heart valve, the first of its kind to gain commercial approval, linked to positive 1-year data
The new-look mitral valve is built using LifePolymer, a proprietary material that does not include any animal tissue. Both the frame and its leaflets are robotically generated to match each patient’s anatomy.
Effective, but not worth the cost: CEPD use during TAVR fails to make a significant difference
Cerebral embolic protection devices are proven to work. However, according to one cardiologist, they are still not consistently reducing stroke rates.
TTVR with Evoque system linked to positive real-world outcomes after 30 days
According to early real-world data, the FDA-approved Evoque TTVR device is associated with positive outcomes when used to treat severe tricuspid regurgitation.
A closer look at world’s first TAVR patient treated with new cerebral embolic protection device
The device covers three vessels at once and can be deployed through the patient's TAVR access site. Researchers shared their first-in-human experience in JACC: Case Reports.

Abbott has gained U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for its Navitor transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system, the company’s new self-expanding valve for high-risk patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis.

Abbott receives FDA approval for new self-expanding TAVR system

The device, which gained CE mark approval in Europe in May 2021, features a new-look fabric cuff designed to keep the risk of paravalvular leak (PVL) at a minimum.

How intravascular lithotripsy can improve TMVR outcomes

The IVL technology developed by Shockwave Medical helped clinicians treat a TMVR patient who had previously undergone TAVR. Could this be a common use of IVL in the future?

Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic TAVR transcatheter aortic valve replacement

Q&A: Discussing TAVR trends with cardiologist Samir Kapadia of Cleveland Clinic

What's next for TAVR? What trends should clinicians be focused on as time goes on? Kapadia shared his perspective in a new interview.

Why cardiologists should pay close attention to rehospitalizations after TAVR or SAVR

A new analysis in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions examined rehospitalization rates after AVR, noting that they are consistently associated with worse outcomes and a higher risk of patient mortality.

An example of virtual pulmonary valve implant planning software showing a virtual transcatheter pulmonary valve with measurements implnated in the virtual anatomy of a congenital heart patient. This was part of a training class at the Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography (SCCT) 2022 meeting.

FDA makes clearance easier for cardiac device implant simulation software

The FDA is reclassifying interventional cardiovascular implant simulation software into the class II (special controls) regulatory category, which will make it easier for the technology to pass regulatory approval.

The Medtronic CoreValve Evolut and the Edwards Lifesciences Sapien 3 TAVR valves.

VIDEO: The importance of assessing TAVR valve durability

Brian Lindman, MD, discusses the tracking of TAVR devices for signs of deterioration and how to assess long-term durability.

No antithrombotic therapy after TAVR? New research highlights potential benefits

The study, published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, focused on data from more than 3,500 TAVR patients.

Minima Stent Cedars Sinai adjustable children cardiology

Cardiologists explore the real-world potential of new adjustable stents for children

The new-look adjustable stents, not yet fully approved by the FDA, can be expanded as a child ages. The hope is that these stents will never need to be replaced.

Structural Heart Disease

At a crossroads: Surgical heart valve innovation slows as transcatheter treatments keep evolving

Polymer heart valve, the first of its kind to gain commercial approval, linked to positive 1-year data

Effective, but not worth the cost: CEPD use during TAVR fails to make a significant difference

TTVR with Evoque system linked to positive real-world outcomes after 30 days

A closer look at world’s first TAVR patient treated with new cerebral embolic protection device