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.

At a crossroads: Surgical heart valve innovation slows as transcatheter treatments keep evolving
Has the success of TAVR and other interventional techniques had a negative impact on surgical valve innovation? Two surgeons shared their concerns in a new commentary.
Polymer heart valve, the first of its kind to gain commercial approval, linked to positive 1-year data
The new-look mitral valve is built using LifePolymer, a proprietary material that does not include any animal tissue. Both the frame and its leaflets are robotically generated to match each patient’s anatomy.
Effective, but not worth the cost: CEPD use during TAVR fails to make a significant difference
Cerebral embolic protection devices are proven to work. However, according to one cardiologist, they are still not consistently reducing stroke rates.
TTVR with Evoque system linked to positive real-world outcomes after 30 days
According to early real-world data, the FDA-approved Evoque TTVR device is associated with positive outcomes when used to treat severe tricuspid regurgitation.
A closer look at world’s first TAVR patient treated with new cerebral embolic protection device
The device covers three vessels at once and can be deployed through the patient's TAVR access site. Researchers shared their first-in-human experience in JACC: Case Reports.

CMS expands Medicare coverage for TMVR, now known as TEER, to include patients with functional MR

Abbott described the update as "critically important," and the American College of Cardiology expressed relief that some proposed changes did not actually end up happening.

TAVR in the time of COVID-19: Providers quickly adapted, delivering ‘excellent’ outcomes

Researchers compared patient outcomes from 2019 with data from the pandemic’s first four months, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

No reason to quit: TAVR patients can continue anticoagulation therapy throughout procedure

Patients are typically told to put anticoagulation therapy on hold two to four days before they undergo TAVR. This study’s authors aimed to see if this was truly necessary.

CKD patients on dialysis face worse TAVR outcomes, including a higher risk of in-hospital mortality

The authors examined data from more than 42,000 patients who received care from 2012 to 2017.

FDA announces new recall for extended-release metformin due to contamination

Numerous recalls for ER metformin occurred in 2020. This is the first of 2021.

In-hospital stroke rates higher after TAVR than MitraClip procedures

Post-discharge stroke rates, however, were similar between the two procedures.

Edwards evaluating the safety, effectiveness of new mitral valve repair solution

The system was designed to require only one small incision to repair a patient’s mitral valve.

An eye on imaging: How to limit radiation exposure during TAVR procedures

Specialists at a high-volume facility in Germany were able to successfully limit radiation dose—and patient outcomes did not suffer.

Structural Heart Disease

At a crossroads: Surgical heart valve innovation slows as transcatheter treatments keep evolving

Polymer heart valve, the first of its kind to gain commercial approval, linked to positive 1-year data

Effective, but not worth the cost: CEPD use during TAVR fails to make a significant difference

TTVR with Evoque system linked to positive real-world outcomes after 30 days

A closer look at world’s first TAVR patient treated with new cerebral embolic protection device