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.

Radial secondary access during TAVR limits complications
Radial access is already the primary choice for many cardiologists performing PCI due to a lower risk of complications. The same appears to be true for secondary access during TAVR.
Medtronic’s Harmony TPVR system gains CE mark approval
The FDA-approved Harmony TPVR system is now available to patients across the EU. Nina Goodheart, president of Medtronic’s structural heart and aortic business, described the news as a "significant milestone."
The primary reason Boston Scientific’s TAVR valve fell short in clinical trial
Michael Reardon, MD, co-principal investigator of the ACURATE IDE trial, discussed updated data on what may have impacted that study's findings.
‘A victory for TAVR’: How treatment impacts elderly patients in their last year of life
New research out of Denmark explored how undergoing TAVR may or may not influence the final year of a patient's life.
Top cardiology video interviews in 2024
A list of the most popular video interviews on Cardiovascular Business in 2024 based on reader analytics.

AI model classifies patients by aortic stenosis severity, could improve AVR timing

The classifier was developed using imaging data from nearly 2,000 patients.

September 15, 2021

How delayed peridevice leak after LAAC affects patient outcomes

Delayed PDL was identified in more than 10% of patients undergoing the procedure.

September 13, 2021

Aortic valve replacement on the rise among patients with Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias

The increasing popularity of TAVR appears to be the biggest reason for this shift.

September 9, 2021

Valve-in-valve TMVR an effective option for patients with mitral prosthesis dysfunction

Adjusted mortality and perioperative complications were both lower among patients undergoing ViV TMVR.

September 8, 2021

Survival rates similar when treating secondary MR with TEER or surgery

Surgical mitral valve repair, however, was also associated with multiple benefits.

September 7, 2021

Why 'leaky' heart valves in pregnant women should not be ignored

The new analysis, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, explored the increased risk of adverse obstetric and cardiovascular events among pregnant women.

September 3, 2021