cardiologist viewing heart data

Death after 1 year more common for real-world low-risk TAVR patients than those treated in clinical trials

Real-world patients were still associated with "excellent" outcomes, but it is important for cardiologists and patients alike to know as much as possible about the odds of survival following treatment. 

Surgeons Operating On Patient

No longer the ‘forgotten valve’: Tricuspid valve surgery outcomes keep improving

Patient outcomes after tricuspid valve replacement have improved significantly over the years, according to new data published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

FIRE1 Norm inferior vena cava (IVC) heart failure sensor

Implantable IVC sensor shows early potential to guide heart failure management

The goal is to measure changes in a patient’s IVC area and collapsibility, which can help anticipate when heart failure events might occur. This first-in-human study included data from the first 50 patients to receive the device. 

Video of Deepak Bhatt explaining the benefits of bentracimab in the late-breaking Phase 3 REVERSE-IT trial.

New drug reverses antiplatelet effects of ticagrelor, helping surgeons avoid a 'bloody mess'

Deepak Bhatt, MD, believes bentracimab could be a game-changer if it gains approval. "I think it's the sort of drug that every emergency room and ICU would have to stock," he said. "A cardiac care unit would have to stock a couple of doses, as would every cath lab."

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]

Why surgery, not TAVR, remains the best treatment for some AS patients

TAVR is being used in more patients to treat severe aortic stenosis. However, according to a new commentary piece, SAVR is still the smartest treatment option for certain populations, including younger patients with bicuspid aortic valves.

SCAI President James B. Hermiller, Jr., MD, director of the transcatheter structural heart program at Ascension St. Vincent Heart Center, Indianapolis, outlined the organization’s key policy priorities for the year. Among them: physician payment reform, peer review overhaul, medical education debt relief, the elimination of non-compete clauses, and physician mental health protections.

Reimbursements, non-compete clauses and more: SCAI focused on key policies in interventional cardiology

SCAI President James B. Hermiller, Jr., MD, detailed the group's key policy concerns in 2025 and beyond in a new video interview. 

Many older heart failure patients are alone and vulnerable—what can be done to help?

Older heart failure patients with no immediate family are especially vulnerable. Additional interventions may be necessary to reach these patients and provide the best care possible.

Raj Makkar, MD, director, interventional cardiology, director, Interventional Cardiology Research Program and professor of medicine, Smidt Heart Institute, Cedars-Sinai Hospital, presented the late-breaking Align-AR clinical trial at ACC 2025 on the first 500 patients treated for aortic regurgitation using the Jena Valve transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) device.

First 500 patients in Align-AR trial using TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation show strong outcomes

Raj Makkar, MD, Cedars-Sinai, explains the late-breaking data from the Align-AR trial on the first 500 patients treated for aortic regurgitation using the Jena Valve TAVR device.