Clinical

This channel newsfeed includes clinical content on treating patients or the clinical implications in a variety of cardiac subspecialties and disease states. The channel includes news on cardiac surgery, interventional cardiology, heart failure, electrophysiology, hypertension, structural heart disease, use of pharmaceuticals, and COVID-19.

Sanitation issue forces FDA recall of ventilator suction systems
Ballard Closed Suction Systems will need to be returned to the manufacturer for a refund due to the high risk of a potentially fatal infection stemming from their use.
Myval TAVR valve associated with positive durability data after 4 years
Researchers have been spending more and more time evaluating the Myval TAVR valve from Indian medtech company Meril Life Sciences. The balloon-expandable device is available in some parts of the world, but not the United States.
Medicare now covers TriClip procedures for patients with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation
CMS has finalized a new national coverage determination for T-TEER, sometimes known as transcatheter tricuspid valve repair. Abbott's TriClip is the only device approved by the FDA for T-TEER, but other treatment options are under development.
World’s first patient receives new-look heart pump—cardiologist ‘impressed’ by device’s performance
The CorWave technology is unlike other left ventricular assist devices, working in harmony with the patient's heartbeat and making adjustments as needed.
FDA issues Class I recall on infant heated wire circuits prone to disconnect
The faulty adapters must not be used. The devices, manufactured under the brand name AirLife, must be identified and quarantined because of the high risk of severe injury or death associated with the malfunction.

‘A compelling alternative’: Polymer heart valve receives first commercial approval of its kind

A new surgical mitral valve from Foldax will now be commercially available in India. The valve is built using LifePolymer, a proprietary material that does not include animal tissue.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

TAVR specialists come together to explore new data, patient selection and much more

Care teams have a lot to consider when choosing the right treatment for patients with severe aortic stenosis. Two cardiologists and a veteran cardiothoracic surgeon are taking part in a new webinar focused on that very topic.

Vinay Badhwar, MD, and his team perform a robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement. Image courtesy of WVU Medicine.

Heart surgeons perform world’s first robotic TAVR explant and aortic valve replacement

The patient, 67, presented with a failing TAVR valve and a leaky mitral valve. She had undergone TAVR four years prior, but premature structural valve degeneration made a full replacement necessary. Surgeons ultimately removed the TAVR valve in addition to replacing her aortic and mitral valves—all with the help of advanced robotics.

Emile A. Bacha, MD, became the 106th President of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS). He officially succeeded David R. Jones, MD, in a presentation during the AATS 105th Annual Meeting in May. He is an internationally recognized leader in both pediatric and adult congenital cardiac surgery.

Congenital heart surgeon named president of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery

Emile Bacha, MD, is an internationally recognized leader in both pediatric and adult congenital cardiac surgery.

milli-spinner thrombectomy designed to target blood clots by engineers with Stanford University

Tiny clot-busting robots could transform care for stroke and heart attack patients

The robots are capable of swimming through a patient’s vascular system and removing blood clots. “It’s unbelievable," one Stanford researcher said. "This is a sea-change technology that will drastically improve our ability to help people.”

Real-world data favor SAVR over TAVR when younger patients need aortic valve replacement

Researchers in Italy tracked data from more than 7,000 patients who underwent AVR between the ages of 65 and 80. TAVR was associated with a significantly higher long-term risk of mortality.

Dean Kereiakes, a nationally renowned interventional cardiologist and president of The Christ Hospital Heart and Vascular Institute, has long been recognized for his groundbreaking work in cardiovascular research and intervention. But in 2024, his career and his life were permanently altered when decades of wearing heavy lead protection in the cath lab left him paralyzed.

Cardiologist became paralyzed after wearing heavy aprons in the cath lab for decades—but he fought back

Dean J. Kereiakes, MD, was left paralyzed after battling severe orthopedic issues for his entire career. Back in the cath lab after a long recovery, he is now stressing the importance of workplace safety among interventional cardiologists.

Medical malpractice gavel diagnostic error mistake stethoscope

Landmark COVID malpractice trial begins over death of 19-year-old with Down syndrome

The family of Grace Schara claims Ascension Health’s St. Elizabeth Hospital gave their unvaccinated daughter a cocktail of drugs that ultimately caused her death. The case has earned the attention of Children’s Health Defense, a controversial nonprofit formed by HHS Secretary Robery F. Kennedy Jr.

Clinical

Sanitation issue forces FDA recall of ventilator suction systems

Myval TAVR valve associated with positive durability data after 4 years

Medicare now covers TriClip procedures for patients with symptomatic tricuspid regurgitation

World’s first patient receives new-look heart pump—cardiologist ‘impressed’ by device’s performance

FDA issues Class I recall on infant heated wire circuits prone to disconnect