Interventional Cardiology

This cardiac subspecialty uses minimally invasive, catheter-based technologies in a cath lab to diagnose and treat coronary artery disease (CAD). The main focus in on percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) to revascularize patients with CAD that is causing blockages resulting in ischemia or myocardial infarction. PCI mainly consists of angioplasty and implanting stents. Interventional cardiology has greatly expanded in scope over recent years to include a number of transcatheter structural heart interventions.

Philips pulls endovascular devices from market after safety issues prompt Class I recall
Philips is recalling all sizes of its Tack Endovascular System after 20 patient injuries were reported. Interventional cardiologists are urged to stop using the device immediately.
Boston Scientific enters renal denervation market with acquisition worth up to $540M
Boston Scientific has announced another significant M&A deal, scooping up an Israeli medtech company focused on RDN technology.
Request for an American Board of Cardiovascular Medicine denied—cardiology groups ‘deeply disappointed’
The ACC, AHA, HFSA, HRS and SCAI all worked together to try and make the new board a reality. Though their proposal has been denied, the groups say they are not done fighting.
Teleflex to acquire Biotronik’s vascular intervention business for $791M, split into 2 separate entities
The acquisition helps Teleflex expand its interventional and vascular portfolios. Biotronik, meanwhile, is shifting its focus toward implantable devices and digital healthcare.
Cardiologist questions FDA’s approval process for high-risk medical devices
The technology used to diagnose, treat and manage cardiovascular disease is always evolving, keeping FDA officials quite busy. But have the agency's standards been slipping in recent years? A cardiologist with Cedars-Sinai Medical Center explored that very question.

A late-breaking study at ACC.22 showed differences in COVID-positive heart attack patients between 2020 and 2021. #ACC22 #ACC2022

VIDEO: Vaccines boosted survival among STEMI heart attack patients with COVID-19

Santiago Garcia, MD, lead author of the study and director of the structural heart program at The Christ Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, presented new data from the North American COVID-19 STEMI (NACMI) registry at ACC.22. Severity of heart attacks were reduced in vaccinated patients, with zero deaths in vaccinated patients in 2021.

Teaming Up to Treat Pulmonary Emboli: Clotbusters Illustrates Potential of Coordinated Response Programs

At one hospital, an aggressive treatment PE treatment program has dramatically reduced mortality.

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Boston Scientific enters renal denervation market with acquisition worth up to $540M

Boston Scientific has announced another significant M&A deal, scooping up an Israeli medtech company focused on RDN technology.

Radiology Business

Shift toward imaging outside the hospital could save billions

Harvard’s David A. Rosman, MD, MBA, explains how moving imaging outside of hospitals could save billions of dollars for U.S. healthcare.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA announces catheter recall for Johnson & Johnson PFA system due to stroke risk

The recall comes after approximately 3% of patients treated with the device during the early stages of its U.S. rollout experienced a stroke or transient ischemic attack following surgery. The expected stroke rate is closer to 1%, the FDA explained.