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 T-TEER
CMS has proposed covering tricuspid TEER for patients who present with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation despite optimal medical therapy. The agency still has questions about the available data, however, and is seeking public comments as it makes its final decision.
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.

Edwards valve repair system receives CE mark approval for tricuspid regurgitation

Edwards Lifesciences’ PASCAL transcatheter valve repair system has gained CE mark approval for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR).

New Data Underscore Importance of Looking for HCM Before Scheduling TAVR

Reported in 2018 by anesthesiologists at the University of Florida College of Medicine in Gainesville, the case suggested a message to TAVR operators: “Vigilance and a high degree of suspicion” are critical for avoiding the potentially severe hemodynamic consequences of HCM associated with aortic stenosis, the authors asserted (J Med Case Rep 2018;18;12[1]:372).

E-cigarettes can help smokers quit—but do not use them casually, researchers warn

The combination of e-cigarettes containing nicotine and 12 weeks of counseling can help smokers quit more effectively than counseling alone.

TAVR outcomes worse than expected at 11% of US facilities

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) outcomes have been worse than expected for 11% of healthcare providers in the United States, according to a new analysis of data from 2015 to 2017.

TAVR ‘viable and safe’ for patients with a bicuspid valve

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures with a self-expanding artificial valve are “very viable and safe” for low-risk patients with a bicuspid aortic valve, according to new research that tracked the outcomes of 150 patients.

Canadian cardiologists perform world’s 1st minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement

Physicians at St. Michael’s Hospital of Unity Health Toronto in Canada announced this month that they’d completed the world’s first minimally invasive tricuspid valve replacement with success.

Mount Sinai launches ultra-specialized CHD center

Mount Sinai has launched an Adult Congenital Heart Disease Center at Mount Sinai Heart in New York in an attempt to streamline CHD care throughout the life cycle.

Patients find long-term migraine relief after PFO closure

A study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions this month found that patients who suffer from migraines may find long-term relief after transcatheter patent foramen ovale closure.

Structural Heart Disease

CMS proposes Medicare coverage for T-TEER

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