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.

Answering key follow-up questions after the FDA approved TAVR in asymptomatic patients
The approval of certain TAVR valves to be used in asymptomatic patients is expected to make a significant impact on patient care going forward.
AI predicts LBBB risk in TAVR patients prior to treatment
The authors tested out a variety of machine learning techniques, including large language models and more traditional algorithms. They focused on data that can be gathered prior to treatment, ensuring cardiologists know as much as possible before the procedure.
A super alternative: BATMAN helps cardiologists limit complications during TMVR
The BATMAN technique is a safe, effective way to prevent LVOT obstruction during high-risk transcatheter mitral valve replacement, according to new data presented at SCAI 2025.
Cardiologists share late-breaking TAVR data on first day of SCAI 2025
New TAVR data on SAPT vs. DAPT and prosthesis-patient mismatch among women were some of the many highlights of the conference's opening day.
Latest EARLY TAVR data suggest it is time to update industry guidelines
Philippe Genereux, MD, principal investigator of EARLY TAVR, presented new data at ACC.25 showing intervening early on crossover patients with asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis led to better outcomes and a reduced stroke rate.

Interventional cardiology procedure in a cath lab at Beaumont Hospital.

PCI boosts survival for ischemic HF patients with moderate-to-severe mitral regurgitation

Mortality rates can be especially high for ischemic HF patients presenting with FMR and LVSD, but PCI may offer some relief.

Oleksandr Yachnik, congenital heart surgeon at the Scientific Practical Children's Cardiac Center in Kyiv, Ukraine, performs a congential heart procedure while the Russians and the front lines are less than 10 miles away. #StandwithUkraine #Ukraine #RussianWarWithUkraine

War in Ukraine has not stopped congenital heart surgeries in Kyiv

"We are staying strong," one surgeon told Cardiovascular Business.

DOACs an effective substitute for VKAs after AFib patients undergo bioprosthetic valve replacement

Direct oral anticoagulants are noninferior to vitamin K antagonists when treating this important patient population, researchers reported.

Ross procedure outperforms bioprosthetic aortic valve replacement among younger patients

Researchers highlighted the low risk of reintervention after the Ross procedure, though they did say additional studies were still needed.

Life after heart surgery: Tracking the long-term performance of several bioprosthetic aortic valves

The study's authors examined data from multiple bioprosthetic aortic valves — and one popular solution consistently came out on top.

Congenital heart disease increases risk of poor COVID-19 outcomes, including death

Researchers examined data from more than 235,000 hospitalized patients treated in the United States.

Q&A U.S. and European Valvular Heart Disease Guidelines: Lessons from Across the Pond

Structural Heart Disease

Answering key follow-up questions after the FDA approved TAVR in asymptomatic patients

AI predicts LBBB risk in TAVR patients prior to treatment

A super alternative: BATMAN helps cardiologists limit complications during TMVR

Cardiologists share late-breaking TAVR data on first day of SCAI 2025

Latest EARLY TAVR data suggest it is time to update industry guidelines