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.

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Delirium after TAVR: A common side effect linked to increased mortality

Temporary changes in cognition, including disorganized thinking, are seen in a significant number of patients following transcatheter aortic valve replacement. 

September 5, 2023
With advances and increased experience in the percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), same-day discharge (SDD) has become increasingly commonplace, but patient selection is key. Antithrombotic therapy may not be necessary for certain transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) patients, according to a new analysis published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Confirmed: Redo TAVR with balloon-expandable valves is safe and effective

The study, based on STS/ACC registry data, represents a collaboration between several leading TAVR specialists. 

September 1, 2023
CTA images before TAVR to screen for coronary artery disease

Cardiac CT before TAVR detects CAD with high accuracy, suggesting a reduced need for invasive imaging

New research from a team of specialists at Cleveland Clinic included data from more than 2,000 TAVR patients.

August 31, 2023
Mitral valve with regurgitation 3D ICE Siemens ICE at #ASE2023.

How monitoring MR can help cardiologists anticipate TAVR outcomes in patients with low-flow, low-gradient AS

Researchers uncovered new details about how mitral regurgitation can impact one-year TAVR outcomes, sharing their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

August 30, 2023
Performing valve-in-valve transcatheter mitral valve replacement (ViV TMVR) with conscious sedation (CS) or monitored anesthesia care (MAC) instead of general anesthesia (GA) is safe and effective, according to new research published in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

Cardiologists detail long-term outcomes of valve-in-valve TMVR

New research published in the Canadian Journal of Cardiology represents one the most detailed pictures to date of the long-term impact of ViV TMVR.

August 29, 2023
A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago.

TAVR safe and effective for severe AS patients with a very low gradient

Yes, all-cause cause mortality is higher among TAVR patients with a very low baseline gradient, but the difference is almost entirely due to those patients presenting with more comorbidities. 

August 22, 2023
Video of ASE President Stephen Little, MD, discussing trends in interventional echo at the ASE 2023 annual meeting.

Interventional echocardiography expected to grow thanks to new structural heart procedures

American Society of Echocardiography (ASE) President Stephen Little, MD, says there will be an increasing need for interventional echocardiographers in the near future.

August 22, 2023
The depth of left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) devices inside the LAA impacts outcomes. #LAAO

Mitigating risk: How the depth of device implantation impacts LAAO outcomes

Researchers examined data from more than 1,300 procedures, presenting their findings in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.

August 18, 2023

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