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.

While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common. Top 10 reasons for readmission after heart transplant.

Surgeons warn it is too early to recommend a TAVR-first strategy for low-risk patients

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery say more information is still required before any conclusions can be made about the long-term benefits of TAVR in low-risk patients.

November 6, 2023
Video of Kendra Grubb discussing transcatheter tricuspid and mitral advancements at TCT 2023.

Key trends in transcatheter tricuspid and mitral valve technologies

The mitral valve has been an especially challenging target for transcatheter interventions, but there are reasons to think key breakthroughs are on the horizon. We talked to Kendra Grubb, MD, about this and other ongoing trends at TCT 2023. 

November 6, 2023
Kendra Grubb discusses TAVR vs SAVR and the most recent data to explain choices with patients.

TAVR or SAVR? Where things stand now, from a surgeon's perspective

Kendra Grubb, MD, one of the country's leading experts on cardiac surgery, discussed what she tells her patients when they ask if TAVR is better than SAVR for treating severe aortic stenosis. 

November 3, 2023
Samir Kapadia, MD, Cleveland Clinic, explains the WATCH TAVR study results that combined LAAO with transcatheter aortic valve replacement at TCT 2023. #TCT2023 #TAVR #Watchman #LAAO

TAVR and LAAO at the same time? Samir Kapadia breaks down the WATCH-TAVR trial

Could this late-breaking clinical trial from TCT 2023 be a sign of things to come in the years ahead? Samir Kapadia, MD, explored the topic in a new interview. 

November 2, 2023
Doctor patient

TAVR patients with cancer face higher risks of hospital readmission, serious bleeding

Short-term mortality, however, does not appear to change when TAVR patients present with active cancer. 

November 1, 2023
Video of Michael Reardon, MD, explaining details from the Evolute Low Risk 4-year results at TCT 2023.

TAVR triumphs over surgery: Exploring 4-year data from the Evolut Low Risk trial

Michael Reardon, MD, discussed his team's late-breaking results at TCT 2023 in San Francisco. 

October 30, 2023
The Evoque transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement (TTVR) system for tricuspid regurgitation from Edwards Lifesciences. The Evoque is the first transcatheter tricuspid valve approved by the FDA. It is the first TTVR cleared in the U.S.

More good news for Edwards: ‘Landmark study’ confirms new TTVR system reduces tricuspid regurgitation, improves symptoms

New data presented at TCT 2023 suggest the Evoque tricuspid valve replacement system could make a significant impact on the lives of patients with severe TR. 

October 27, 2023
HeartPoint Global Shark Tank Intellistent

New pediatric interventional device for PAH wins ‘Shark Tank’ event at TCT 2023

The first-place finish earned HeartPoint Global $20,000 in prize money. 

October 26, 2023

Around the web

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