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.

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement
Edwards Lifesciences sent a formal request to CMS in February after its Evoque TTVR device gained FDA approval. The agency is now accepting public comments for 30 days.
Hydra TAVR valve gains key approval as global reach continues to grow
The self-expanding device is now available in more than 20 countries and received CE mark approval back in 2020. However, it has not yet been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States.
SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves
BAV patients are often excluded from TAVR trials, creating uncertainty about the best way to treat that population when aortic valve replacement is required. To learn more, researchers tracked CMS data from 2018 to 2022, presenting their findings in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.
Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks
While the technology and techniques associated with TAVR have advanced over the years, treating patients who present with baseline atrial fibrillation is still associated with certain risks.
Heart surgeons detail world’s first robotic heart procedure of its kind
The care team behind the very first robotic aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery has written about the experience in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The group discussed the development of the technique, how the patient was chosen for treatment and other key details.

FDA greenlights early feasibility study for less-invasive TMVR system

Medtronic announced Sept. 27 that it had received FDA approval to launch an early feasibility study for its Intrepid TMVR system using a minimally invasive transfemoral access approach.

September 27, 2019

Failed TAVR more common in women, those with PAD

The incidence of aborted procedures during transcatheter aortic valve replacement is falling, according to work published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, but centers with low institutional TAVR volume still struggle to keep up with bigger hospitals’ success.

September 19, 2019

Fluoroquinolone use predicts aortic, mitral regurgitation

People who currently take or have recently taken fluoroquinolones face higher odds of aortic and mitral regurgitation, according to a report out of Canada.

September 11, 2019

Tackling the Undertreatment of Aortic Stenosis in the U.S.

The problem is fixable, but it will take hard work, says one Duke University researcher. And cardiologists could be the key.

September 10, 2019

Transcarotid Access: The Future of Non-femoral TAVR?

The transcarotid approach to TAVR is becoming more common, according to research presented at TVT.19.

September 10, 2019

As Surgery Gives Way to Transcatheter Procedures, Is the Cardiology Cash Cow in Jeopardy?

With minimally invasive structural procedures crowding out their surgical counterparts, how are physicians and hospitals preparing for the new reality?

September 9, 2019

FDA Expands Indication for TAVR to Low-risk Patients

The U.S. now will allow TAVR for patients at low risk for death or major complications during open-heart surgery.

September 9, 2019

Who Shouldn’t Get TAVR? Lower-risk TAVR Raises New Challenges Around Assessing Patient Eligibility

As TAVR finds a new comfort zone in younger, healthier patients, determining who shouldn’t receive the replacement valve is becoming a nuanced and challenging exercise.

September 9, 2019

Structural Heart Disease

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement

Hydra TAVR valve gains key approval as global reach continues to grow

SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves

Treating AFib patients with TAVR still linked to elevated risks

Heart surgeons detail world’s first robotic heart procedure of its kind