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.

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LAAO with Watchman device consistently lowers stroke risk after 1 year

After one year, the stroke rate for LAAO patients was just 1.53%. 

Apixaban appears safe for most TAVR patients, but questions remain

Researchers tracked data from more than 1,500 patients who underwent a successful TAVR procedure from 2016 to 2019. 

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A milestone for Medtronic: Low-risk TAVR patients treated with Evolut ‘doing exceptionally well’ after 2 years

The two-year rates of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke were 4.3% for TAVR patients and 6.3% for SAVR patients.

Abbott’s new self-expanding TAVR system gains CE mark approval

The solution has still only been approved in the United States for investigational use. 

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Significant MR after TAVR linked to higher mortality rates—but staged interventions may help

Percutaneous edge-to-edge mitral valve repair was associated with improved outcomes among TAVR patients with persistent mitral regurgitation. 

BASILICIA before TAVR is safe and effective, new data confirms

Researchers found that the procedure was associated with a high success rate and low mortality and stroke rates after 30 days.

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AI model helps clinicians predict post-TAVR infective endocarditis

To build and validate their advanced AI model, researchers explored data from nearly 78,000 TAVR hospitalizations.

quality imaging appropriateness clinical decision support CAS AUC

11% of TAVR sites deliver below-average care, suggesting a ‘meaningful performance gap’

The study’s authors developed and validated a new performance measure for TAVR care using data from more than 52,000 patients. They shared their full analysis ahead of print in Circulation.