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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transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure guided by CT fusion imaging on a patient with heart failure and a blood clot. CT fusion imaging-guided deployment of the Sentinel Cerebral Protection System during a TAVR procedure. Image courtesy of Vasudev et al.

Cardiologists and surgeons perform first TAVR using CT imaging guidance on HF patient with blood clot

“We believe this case is potentially groundbreaking," one interventional cardiologist said. 

May 6, 2022
The steps involved to gain transcaval access between the inferior vena cava and the aorta to avoid problematic anatomical areas that would have otherwise disqualified a patient for a femoral access TAVR procedure. Illustration of the NIH

Transcaval TAVR outperforms transaxillary TAVR when femoral access is not an option

Transcaval TAVR was linked to a much lower stroke rate and fewer bleeding complications. 

May 6, 2022
The Boston Scientific Watchman device is a transcatheter device implanted in the left atrial appendage (LAA) to seal it off so atrial fibrillation patients can got off of anticoagulant therapy.

Real-world Watchman patients experiencing fewer complications after LAAO than seen in clinical trials

The study's authors compared findings from the PROTECT-AF and PREVAIL clinical trials with data from the NCDR LAAO Registry, focusing on short-term and long-term outcomes. 

May 3, 2022
Illustration showing four innovative heart failure technologies: The V-Wave interaterial shunt to relieve pressures between the left and right sides of the heart; the Carillon Transcatheter mitral valve annuloplasty system; the Revivent TC system and the AccuCinch device. Interventional cardiology heart failure cleveland clinic

4 promising heart failure therapies interventional cardiologists should keep an eye on

The devices, currently being investigated by teams of heart specialists, could make a big impact in the years ahead. 

May 3, 2022
Illustration of a left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) procedure using a Watchman device. Image courtesy of Johns Hopkins Medicine. #LAA #LAAO

Same-day discharge after LAAO associated with strong outcomes, significant cost savings

A new analysis found that 30-day outcomes do not significantly change when LAAO patients go home the same day as their procedure. 

April 28, 2022
The Medtronic Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve on display at ACC 2022. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that Medtronic is recalling the delivery catheter from its Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) system due to a risk of the piece breaking during use.

Medtronic recalls Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve's delivery catheter after multiple complaints, 1 injury

Customers have been asked to return all unused devices and pause any new clinical trials involving the Harmony TPV. 

April 27, 2022
Patient

TAVR outcomes unaffected when women require a smaller valve prosthesis

Women with severe aortic stenosis and a small aortic annulus have been known to face worse outcomes after SAVR. After TAVR, however, that does not appear to be the case. 

April 21, 2022
TricValve Transcatheter Bicaval Valves System Cleveland Clinic. Image courtesy of P + F Products + Features GmbH.

Interventional cardiologists complete first heart procedure of its kind in North America

While the system used during the procedure has not yet gained full FDA approval, this patient was treated under a compassionate-use clearance from the agency.

April 19, 2022
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