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.

surgeons operating

Society of Thoracic Surgeons launches new risk calculators for SAVR after TAVR, other key heart surgeries

STS risk calculators are known as a go-to resource for cardiologists, surgeons and any other healthcare providers who manage the care of heart patients. 

April 26, 2024
An 86-year-old patient is showing signs of improvement six months after receiving the world’s first implant of a new-look medical device for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR), according to new data published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.[1] The device in question, the Tricuspid Flow Optimizer, was developed by Triflo Cardiovascular, a U.S.-based biomedical company founded in 2017 by a team of structural heart specialists.

Cardiologists share update after world’s first implant of new optimizer device for tricuspid regurgitation

The Tricuspid Flow Optimizer was developed by Triflo Cardiovascular, a U.S.-based healthcare technology company founded by structural heart specialists.

April 26, 2024
old elderly couple coffee drink retired love romance man

TAVR, SAVR linked to similar QOL improvements for intermediate-risk patients after five years

TAVR was initially associated with greater benefits than surgery, but that difference faded by the end of the first year.

April 24, 2024
Lars Svensson, MD, PhD

Q&A: Cleveland Clinic’s Lars Svensson previews AATS annual meeting

Svensson, a prominent voice in cardiothoracic surgery, said he has seen a rise in enthusiasm ahead of this year's meeting.

April 23, 2024
doctor examines patient data on their tablet

TAVR or SAVR? ChatGPT could help cardiologists decide

Researchers asked ChatGPT to make treatment decisions for patients with severe aortic stenosis, comparing its answers to the recommendations of a full heart team. 

April 22, 2024
TAVR JenaValve Trilogy Heart Valve System pure AR

Cardiologists make history, perform first-ever transcaval TAVR for pure aortic regurgitation

The 65-year-old male patient presented with a long medical history and many comorbidities, making surgery too risky.

April 18, 2024
2024 has been a banner year for structural heart treatments, especially those focused on the tricuspid valve. In February, for example, Edwards Lifesciences made history when its Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system became the first device of its kind to gain U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for treating tricuspid regurgitation (TR). Two months later, Abbott’s TriClip transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) system also gained FDA approval for the treatment of TR.

Q&A: Interventional cardiologist details key breakthroughs in tricuspid valve replacement and repair

How have recent FDA approvals for Edwards Lifesciences and Abbott changed patient care? Andrew Rassi, MD, answered that question—and many more—in a new interview. 

April 18, 2024
The V-Wave intra-atrial shunt to treat heart failure on display on the expo floor at ACC.24. The device was used in one of the late breaking trials at ACC. DF 3

PHOTO GALLERY: Highlights from ACC.24 in Atlanta

ACC.24, the American College of Cardiology's annual meeting in Atlanta, featured the latest in cardiovascular research and technologies. Representatives from Cardiovascular Business were there in person to take in the excitement. 

April 16, 2024

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