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.

AI improves detection of severe CAD in stress echocardiograms

Advanced algorithms can lead to significant improvements in agreement among specialists, researchers found.

Prosthetic-patient mismatch after TAVR much less likely among Asian patients

Patient outcomes, it seems, are not significantly impacted by this trend.

Pre-TAVR pulmonary artery dilatation helps identify high-risk patients

Imaging-based PAD may provide value as a noninvasive alternative to right heart catheterization.

TTVR patients see consistent improvements in their daily lives

Researchers evaluated 115 patients before and one month after undergoing transcatheter tricuspid valve repair, sharing their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Pressure-regulated THV deployment could provide significant value

Overall, researchers found, this method was “simple, reproducible, safe and effective.”

What new valve-in-valve TAVR data tell us about valve durability

Age, diabetes and smoking were all also found to be “significant predictors” of reduced valve durability among SAVR patients.

SAVR a valuable treatment option for asymptomatic patients with severe AS

Early valve replacement was associated with improved outcomes in a new study published in Circulation.

SAVR associated with 'substantial' survival rates

The procedure is especially effective when treating younger, low-risk patients.

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