Vascular & Endovascular

This channel includes news on non-coronary vascular disease and therapies. These include peripheral artery disease (PAD), abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAA and TAA), aortic dissection, pulmonary embolism (PE), critical limb ischemia (CLI), carotid artery and stroke interventions, venous interventions, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and interventional radiology therapies. The focus on most of these therapies is minimally invasive, catheter-based procedures performed in a cath lab.

Richard Heuser, MD, an interventional cardiologist known for his groundbreaking work in the field, leadership and strong business acumen, died on May 23. He was 73 years old.

Cardiologist Richard Heuser, interventional specialist and medical device pioneer, dies at 73

Heuser had a long, impactful career in cardiology. One former colleague said he was “an amazing interventional cardiologist and an even better human being.”

Leftr, Pedro Martinez-Clark, MD, FSCAI, interventional cardiologist, founder and medical director of Amavita Heart and Vascular Health during a PAD intervention. Right, an ultrasound evaluation of PAD in the legs. Amavita recently launched the Miami Initiative to Stop Amputation (MISA) to tackle the rising rates of amputations due to peripheral artery disease (PAD), in Latin, Haitian and Black communities in the Miami area. Photos courtesy of Amavita Heart and Vascular Health

Rising amputation rates spark new PAD initiative in Miami

"When you think about the rise of amputations in a country like the United States, that's concerning because it should not be happening here," one interventional cardiologist said. 

AI-based CAD assessments dramatically improve vascular surgery outcomes

PAD patients evaluated with HeartFlow's noninvasive FFRCT Analysis technology prior to surgery experienced much better outcomes, including a 63% lower risk of all-cause mortality after five years. 

the words "FDA recall" on a board

FDA announces new recall of delivery catheters after patient’s death

The recall includes specific lots of five different medical devices used to treat stroke and other neurovascular diseases.

money business cash flow dollar

Medical device company raises $87M to study new-look scaffolds for BTK PAD

R3 Vascular also announced that Christopher M. Owens, a veteran of the medical device industry, is its new president and CEO. 

Hēlo PE Thrombectomy System developed by U.S. medical device company Endovascular Engineering

Dual-action thrombectomy device could give cardiologists a new tool for treating acute PE

The new device is believed to be the first of its kind, using both aspiration and mechanical clot disruption to remove blood clots.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock

TAVR is also associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury in this patient population. In-hospital mortality rates, however, are similar between the two treatment options. 

PAD patients face greater risk of death, complications after a heart attack

PAD and CLI patients who show signs of coronary heart disease may benefit from early treatment, according to a new study of nearly 4 million hospitalizations.