Key Points Catheter-based therapies are available for a wide variety of congenital structural cardiovascular defects. Balloon dilation provides relief of obstruction for patients with congenital pulmonary or aortic valve stenosis. This therapy may not be adequate if the valve is…
Key Points Pericardiocentesis is a catheter-based procedure in which fluid is aspirated from the pericardium. It is indicated in patients with cardiac tamponade, for large pericardial effusions (usually >2 cm), for moderate effusions (10 to 20 mm) in symptomatic patients,…
Key Points Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a disease process that varies broadly in its clinical presentation and has been associated with many different genetic mutations. Obstructive disease is present in a subset of patients, where the severity of obstruction varies depending…
Key Points The clinical burden of severe functional tricuspid regurgitation can be substantial, with limited transcatheter options for those at prohibitive risk for surgical repair The tricuspid apparatus is complex and far more heterogeneous (with respect to number of leaflets…
Key Points Percutaneous pulmonary valvuloplasty is the first-line treatment for all patients with more than moderate isolated pulmonary stenosis. Even in critical neonatal pulmonary stenosis, simple efficacious balloon dilatation can provide a definitive solution and avoid the need for future…
Key Points All tissue valves will fail if the patients live long enough. The average time from implant to valve-in-valve procedures has been approximately 8 years. Valve-in-valve procedures are less invasive and often lower risk than redo open-heart surgery. Improvements…
Key Points Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) has become the default therapy for patients with aortic stenosis who, based on an expanding randomized evidence base, are at increased risk for surgery. TAVR procedures have now surpassed the number of surgical…
Key Points Balloon aortic valvuloplasty is used to palliate the symptoms of severe aortic stenosis and as a bridge to more definitive therapy when benefit is uncertain. Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) provides a survival and symptomatic advantage for patients…
Key Points Mitral regurgitation (MR) is a significant problem, and the number of patients with MR is growing together with increased numbers of patients with congestive heart failure. Various percutaneous approaches to mitral valve repair are under preclinical and clinical…
Key Points The efficacy, safety, and applicability of the Inoue balloon technique make it the point of reference for percutaneous mitral commissurotomy (PMC). Technical experience is essential for the safety of the procedure and the selection of patients. PMC provides…