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.

Key takeaways from ACC.25: Advances in cardiovascular science
Former American College of Cardiology president Hadley Wilson, MD, executive vice chair of Atrium Health Sanger Heart and Vascular Institute, explains his main takeaway messages from the ACC 2025 late-breaking trials.
New TAVR research explores adverse outcomes, disease progression in patients with asymptomatic severe AS
Two separate studies at ACC.25 explored data from the EARLY TAVR trial. One analysis included stroke findings that surprised researchers.
Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure
The positive data were presented as part of a late-breaking clinical trial at ACC.25 in Chicago. One cardiologist on stage for the presentation said these findings will impact the way he manages certain TAVR patients.
Bringing state-of-the-art healthcare to Florida heart patients
Naples Comprehensive Health is building up what it hopes will be a nationally recognized cardiology program. Robert Cubeddu, MD, and Dee Dee Wang, MD, spoke with Cardiovascular Business about the journey so far.
Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS
Aortic valve replacement is likely inevitable for patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis. Immediately performing TAVR or SAVR, however, may not always be the answer.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients continue to benefit from an optimized pre- and post-procedural treatment strategy that utilizes the cusp overlap technique, according to new findings presented at EuroPCR 2022 in Paris.

Cusp overlap technique, optimized treatment strategy tied to significant improvements for TAVR patients

The research, presented at EuroPCR 2022 in Paris, represented an updated look at the Optimize PRO study, an ongoing analysis of patients treated with Medtronic’s self-expanding Evolut Pro and Pro+ TAVR systems.

New guidelines detail PFO management, including when to consider closure

The new guidance document was designed to provide helpful information on a topic "surrounded by controversy."

New data on cardiac damage before and after AVR suggests earlier treatment may be beneficial

Patients with higher levels of extravalvular cardiac damage prior to TAVR or SAVR face a higher risk of dying within two years, according to new findings presented at EuroPCR 2022 in Paris.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

TAVR vs. surgery: A new look at 1-year outcomes among moderate-risk patients with severe, symptomatic AS

All-cause mortality after one year was 4.6% for the TAVR group and 6.6% for the SAVR group

ACC.22 kicked off on Saturday, April 2, in Washington, D.C.

VIDEO: Key technology trends in cardiology, as seen at ACC.22

American College of Cardiology President Edward T. A. Fry, MD, discusses his general takeaways on technology advances seen during ACC.22.

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.

Structural Heart Disease

Key takeaways from ACC.25: Advances in cardiovascular science

New TAVR research explores adverse outcomes, disease progression in patients with asymptomatic severe AS

Dapagliflozin improves outcomes for elderly TAVR patients with heart failure

Bringing state-of-the-art healthcare to Florida heart patients

Cardiologists make case against routine interventions for asymptomatic severe AS