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.

3D software helps cardiologists plan ahead for TAVR complications
Serious complications are rare after TAVR, but they can be catastrophic or fatal when they do occur. The care team at Sentara Heart Hospital found that bringing in new 3D software made it much easier to plan ahead for such issues.
FDA clears AI-powered platform that personalizes care during TAVR, cardiac pacing procedures
The newly cleared CARA System from Cara Medical was designed to help clinicians before and during a variety of cardiac procedures. It provides a personalized 3D map of the patient's cardiac conduction system and then overlays that map onto live fluoroscopic images.
PFO closure after thromboembolism linked to strong 20-year outcomes
Recurrent strokes and TIAs were rare, though bleeding events among women did stand out as a trend to watch going forward.
TAVR a safe treatment option for patients who have undergone chest radiation therapy
In fact, researchers wrote, TAVR and SAVR were linked to comparable long-term outcomes for heart patients who have previously been exposed to mediastinal radiation.
Registry data point to ‘striking shift’ in treatment decisions after FDA approved low-risk TAVR
Many experts still recommend SAVR over TAVR for patients younger than 65 years old with severe aortic stenosis. However, transcatheter treatments are growing more and more popular when these younger patients require a valve replacement.

98% of new TAVR programs are being developed in wealthier metro areas

The study's authors examined new TAVR programs established from 2012 to 2018.

TAVR delivers better outcomes for low-risk patients than a sutureless surgical approach

The two treatment options were comparable in many ways—but TAVR was better when it came to limiting hospitalizations for heart failure.

Half-dose DOAC improves outcomes after LAAO

The new-look anticoagulation strategy was associated with a significant reduction in adverse outcomes.

radiology reporting EHR health record CDS AUC

Clinicians have a new tool for predicting TAVR mortality

Left atrium emptying fraction (LAEF) measurements can provide significant value during the TAVR planning process.

High-quality care is helping women with heart defects have safer pregnancies

Early counseling should be stressed for women with congenital heart defects, according to the analysis.

Real-world TAVR outcomes highlight the accuracy of clinical trials

Clinical trial results don't always apply to real-world patient populations.

CUTTING-EDGE findings shine new light on mitral valve surgery after failed TEER

Overall, mitral valve surgery after TEER was associated with a 30-day mortality rate of 16.6% and one-year mortality rate of 31.3%.

Permanent pacemaker implantation after TAVR does not increase risk of death or heart failure

Prior studies have suggested that TAVR patients could face worse outcomes if they require a permanent pacemaker.

Structural Heart Disease

3D software helps cardiologists plan ahead for TAVR complications

FDA clears AI-powered platform that personalizes care during TAVR, cardiac pacing procedures

PFO closure after thromboembolism linked to strong 20-year outcomes

TAVR a safe treatment option for patients who have undergone chest radiation therapy

Registry data point to ‘striking shift’ in treatment decisions after FDA approved low-risk TAVR