News

Even patients who were never hospitalized for COVID-19 face a heightened risk of cardiovascular issues. #longcovid

Stroke is typically seen as the biggest danger for patients after they receive an AFib diagnosis. This study, however, suggests heart failure could be an even bigger threat.

TAVR JenaValve Trilogy Heart Valve System pure AR

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

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.

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. 

the words "FDA recall" on a board

There have been a total of 11 incidents so far, including seven injuries and two deaths. Boston Scientific said the agent can still be used if operators follow specific instructions during lower GI bleed embolization procedures.  

Video interview with ACC President Cathie Biga on goals for college over the next year and trends she saw at ACC 2024.

Biga, who originally trained as a nurse, specializes in the business side of cardiology. She also emphasized the increasing importance of AI and other new technologies. 

pharmaceutical drug approval process

The new gene therapy candidate is now one step closer to being approved by the FDA. 

A study that analyzed patient outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in veterans showed outcomes for on-pump and off-pump procedures over 10 years to be similar. Photo by Jim Lennon

Finding new ways to avoid intraoperative anemia could go a long way toward improving outcomes for female CABG patients. The full analysis, based on more than 1.4 million patients, was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Performing CT-derived fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) before transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) improves the accuracy of coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and helps limit unneeded invasive coronary angiography (ICA), according to a new study published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Heartflow

Radiologists with Massachusetts General Hospital found that the selective use of cardiac CT and AI-based CAD evaluations could make a significant impact on patient care. 

The Pulnovo pulmonary artery denervation catheter. In February 2021, the devices was granted the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) breakthrough device designation. #TCT2022 #PAH

Pulmonary artery denervation may offer a new therapy option for this difficult-to-treat population.

Medtronic launches Evolut FX TAVR system aortic stenosis.

This is the fourth device in Medtronic's Evolut TAVR platform. The self-expanding valve gained FDA approval in 2021 for the treatment of high- and low-risk patients presenting with symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted the first pediatric indication for use for an implantable cardiac monitor to Medtronic. The Linq II Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) system is the first such device receive 510(k) clearance for use in pediatric patients over the age of 2 who have heart rhythm abnormalities and require long-term, continuous monitoring.

The FDA granted the first pediatric indication for an implantable cardiac monitor. The Linq II can be used in pediatric patients over the age of 2 for up to 4.5 years of long-term, continuous monitoring. 

The Pascal transcatheter mitral valve repair system. Similar to the latest version of the MitraClip, the Pascal can operate each leaflet independently to grasp the mitral valve leaflets. Results of the CLASP IID trial at #TCT2022.

Comparison between transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) devices found Pascal was non-inferior compared with MitraClip in the CLASP IID pivotal trial.

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

Philips introduced a new CT system at ECR aimed at the rapidly growing cardiac CT market, incorporating numerous AI features to optimize workflow and image quality.