U.S. expected to see large rise in cardiomyopathy cases over next decade

The projected number of acquired cardiomyopathy cases are expected to greatly outpace the number of new familial cardiomyopathy cases by 2031 in the U.S., driven mainly by poor lifestyles. This is expected to have a big impact on healthcare.
The projected number of acquired cardiomyopathy cases are expected to greatly outpace the number of new familial cardiomyopathy cases by 2031 in the U.S., driven mainly by poor lifestyles. This is expected to have a big impact on healthcare in the next decade.

“Even if we compensate for the differences in population size, the U.S. is still miles ahead when it comes to total cardiomyopathy cases," explained Walter Gabriel, MPH, an epidemiologist and analyst on the report.

New LAA occluder technology and the debate on echo vs. CT image guidance

View of an Amulet left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder on 4D intra-cardiac echo (ICE) from a GE NuVision ICE catheter. Since ICE is operated by the interventionalist, it can be used to reduce the number of people needed to perform an LAA occlusion procedure.  

View of an Amulet left atrial appendage (LAA) occluder on 4D intra-cardiac echo (ICE). Since ICE is operated by the interventionalist, it can be used to reduce the number of people needed to perform an LAA occlusion procedure and help eliminate the need for anesthesia.  

At TVT 2022, there was debate whether CT imaging is needed for preplanning LAA procedures, and several new devices in development were discussed.

AFib patients more likely to be hospitalized for heart failure or bleeding following TAVR

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare. Sex differences in TAVR one-year mortality.

An example of a transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed. Image from Intermountain Healthcare.

The study, published in the American Journal of Cardiology, included data from more than 900 TAVR patients. Overall morality was 22.7% among patients with AFib and 14.4% among patients without AFib.

Leadless pacemaker technology moves toward dual-chamber pacing

Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center EP lab staff that performed the first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker implant at the hospital. From left is Mark Mascarenhas, MD, Toni Donovan RN, BSN, CVN; Tim StJean, R.N. trainee; Liz Bianchini RN; and Melissa D'Altilio, RN, with the Abbott Aveir DR pacemaker technology. #EPeeps #EPlab #Aveir

Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center EP lab staff that performed the first dual-chamber leadless pacemaker implant at the hospital. From left is Mark Mascarenhas, MD, Toni Donovan RN, BSN, CVN; Tim StJean, R.N. trainee; Liz Bianchini RN; and Melissa D'Altilio, RN, with the Abbott Aveir DR pacemaker technology.

Leadless pacemaker technology is expanding its ability to treat more patients with dual-chamber pacing.

FDA may allow clinical trials of pig organ transplants into human patients

The most successful case to date of a pig organ being transplanted into a human occurred back in January, when specialists at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) in Baltimore transplanted a modified pig heart into 57-year-old David Bennett. The FDA approved the heart transplant transplant through an emergency authorization typically reserved for experimental procedures seen as a patient’s last chance at survival. Bennett did die of heart failure two months later.#pigheart

The modified pig heart that was transplanted into 57-year-old heart failure patient David Bennett at the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) in Baltimore in January 2022. Image courtesy of the University of Maryland Medical Center.

The FDA would approve trials on a case-by-case basis, according to an anonymous source close to the situation. 

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