Jersey Shore University Medical Center Cardiac Team Performs Rare, Lifesaving Combined Procedures

Experts from Hackensack Meridian Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Structural Heart Disease Program recently performed, to the program’s knowledge, New Jersey’s first transcatheter double heart valve replacement, combined with a procedure to improve blood flow in the heart. The three treatments were completed together during one visit to the academic medical center’s advanced hybrid operating room, to ensure the patient’s safety.

World-Renowned Interventional Cardiologist Establishes Structural Heart Disease Research Fund in Honor of Late Wife

William O’Neill, M.D., director of the Center for Structural Heart Disease at Henry Ford Health System, has donated $1 million to establish the Carol S. O’Neill Structural Heart Disease Research Fund at Henry Ford Health System in honor of his late wife, Carol, who passed away in 2019.

CRF Fellows Course Connect Will Take Place Online May 7-9, 2021

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has announced that its annual Interventional Cardiology Fellows Course will take place online May 7-9, 2021. The CRF Fellows Course is an interactive educational program introducing advanced interventional cardiology trainees to all facets of coronary, structural, and endovascular interventions.

Morristown Medical Center’s Dr. Philippe Généreux Again Named One of World’s Most Highly Cited Researchers

For the second year, Philippe Géneréux, MD, Co-Director of the Structural Heart Program at Atlantic Health System’s Morristown Medical Center and an interventional cardiologist internationally known for his novel research, has been named a Highly Cited Researcher by the Clarivate™ Web of Science™ Group. Dr. Géneréux is the only New Jersey-based physician-scientist to be named to this year’s list in the Clinical Medicine category. Clinical Medicine requires more highly cited papers than any other field to meet the criteria for inclusion on the Highly Cited list.

Free Access to TCT Connect Extended for One Year

All educational programming from TCT Connect will be available to registrants for free through October 18, 2021. TCT is the annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) and the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.

CTO 2021 Is Now an Online Event: CTO Connect

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has announced that the 2021 Chronic Total Occlusion (CTO) Summit will now take place as a virtual event called CTO Connect. It will take place online February 20-21, 2021.

The conference will feature live case transmissions performed by some of the world’s leading operators along with real-time analysis from world-class faculty members. Live and on-demand sessions will also highlight engaging case-based discussions, challenging cases, and the latest technical developments and refinements in CTO PCI.

Randomized Trial Comparing a Nano-Coated Coronary Stent and Shorter DAPT Did Not Meet Non-Inferiority Criteria for Thrombotic Events

For patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) that also require oral anticoagulation, treatment with a nanotechnology polymer-coated stent plus 14-day dual anti-platelet therapy (DAPT) did not reduce bleeding or establish non-inferior outcomes for thrombotic events compared with a drug-eluting stent (DES) and standard three or six-month DAPT therapy.

OnSight Medical Wins TCT Connect 2020 hark Tank Innovation Competition

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is pleased to announce that OnSight Medical, an AI-based company specializing in cardiac ultrasound imaging, has won the TCT 2020 Shark Tank Innovation Competition which took place during the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT), the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine. The winner was also presented with the Jon DeHaan Foundation Award for Interventional Innovation.

Deferral of PCI in FFR-Abnormal Lesions with Preserved Coronary Flow Reserve Is Not Associated with Similar Outcomes as Untreated Lesions with Normal FFR

A new observational study of deferred lesions following combined fractional flow reserve (FFR) and coronary flow reserve (CFR) assessments found that untreated vessels with abnormal FFR but intact CFR do not have non-inferior outcomes compared to those with an FFR greater than 0.8 and a CFR greater than or equal to two when treated medically.

Physiology-guided Percutaneous Coronary Intervention Optimization Strategy May Lead to Improved Outcomes

Results from the randomized controlled TARGET FFR trial show that while a physiology-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) optimization strategy did not achieve a significant increase in the proportion of patients with final FFR ≥0.90, it reduced the proportion of patients with a residual FFR ≤0.80 following PCI.

Fractional Flow Reserve Derived from Computed Tomography Coronary Angiography Did Not Significantly Reduce Costs But Reduced Rates of Invasive Coronary Angiography

In the FORECAST randomized clinical trial, the use of fractional flow reserve management derived from computed tomography (FFRCT) did not significantly reduce costs but did reduce the use of invasive coronary angiography (ICA).

Trial Finds that Interventional Closure of Residual Atrial Septal Defect One-Month Post Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair Was Not Superior to Medical Treatment

The MITHRAS randomized clinical trial found that interventional closure of an iatrogenic atrial septal defect (iASD) driven by transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) was not superior to conservative medical treatment with regard to the primary endpoint of change in six-minute walking distance.

Randomized Trial Studies Device Designed to Reduce Embolic Events in Patients Undergoing TAVR

The REFLECT II randomized clinical trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of a device designed to reduce cerebral embolization and ischemic stroke, complications of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), found that the device met the primary safety endpoint compared to historical controls but did not demonstrate superiority of the device for the primary hierarchical efficacy endpoint.

Meta-Analysis of Bivalirudin vs. Heparin in Patients with MI Examines Mortality and Bleeding Rates

An individual patient data pooled analysis comparing the use of bivalirudin versus heparin in heart attack patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) found that bivalirudin use was associated with similar overall rates of 30-day mortality across all heart attack patients, but lower rates of serious bleeding events. Moreover, mortality was reduced in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who were treated with a post-PCI bivalirudin infusion.

Combined FFR and OCT Imaging Can Improve Accuracy of High-Risk Lesion Identification in Patients with Diabetes

Data from COMBINE (OCT-FFR) found that the use of FFR combined with OCT imaging can help improve the accuracy of high-risk lesion identification in patients with diabetes. Findings were reported today at TCT Connect, the 32nd annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF). TCT is the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.

Pilot Randomized Trial Demonstrates that PCI of Non-Flow-Limiting Vulnerable Plaques May be Safe with Favorable Long-Term Clinical Outcomes

New data from PROSPECT ABSORB, a pilot randomized trial of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) of non-flow-limiting vulnerable plaques in native coronary arteries, found that PCI was safe, substantially enlarged follow-up lumen areas, and was associated with favorable long-term clinical outcomes.

NIRS-IVUS Imaging Can Help Identify High-Risk Plaques That Can Lead to Adverse Outcomes

ew data from the PROSPECT II study shows that NIRS-IVUS intracoronary imaging can help identify angiographically non-obstructive lesions with high-risk characteristics for future adverse cardiac outcomes. Findings were reported today at TCT Connect, the 32nd annual scientific symposium of the Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF). TCT is the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine.

TCT Connect Agenda Now Available

The TCT Connect agenda is now available online. TCT, the annual scientific symposium of CRF and the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine, will take place online October 14-18. Every year, TCT features major medical research breakthroughs and gathers leading researchers and clinicians from around the globe to present and discuss the latest evidence-based research in the field.

Announcing the TCT Connect Late-Breaking Trials and Science

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has announced over 30 late-breaking trial and science presentations that will be reported at TCT Connect. TCT, the annual scientific symposium of CRF and the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine, will take place online October 14-18.

Registration for TCT Connect Now Open

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) is pleased to announce that registration for the annual scientific symposium, TCT Connect, taking place online October 14-18, is free for all attendees and is now open.

Late-Breaking Science Announced for TVT Connect

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) announced that TVT Connect will feature eight studies as Late-Breaking Clinical Science. They will be presented during episodes moderated by the editors of Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions and JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions. Each late-breaking science episode will host a live wrap-up and Q&A session afterwards.

TCT 2020 Is Now a Virtual Event: TCT Connect

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has announced that Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2020 will now take place as a virtual event called TCT Connect. The event will take place online October 14-18, 2020 and feature live case-based transmissions from around the globe, late-breaking clinical trials and science, virtual training, and countless opportunities to learn and engage with the brightest minds in interventional cardiovascular medicine.

PCR and CRF Announce Partners in Learning Virtual Sessions

PCR and CRF are pleased to announce the creation of virtual Partners in Learning sessions that will be broadcast during the PCR e-Course (June 25-27, 2020) and CRF’s TVT Connect meeting (June 18-28, 2020). The sessions, which will cover coronary artery disease in TAVI patients and TAVI in low risk patients, are part of a collaborative educational series from the two groups.

Introducing TVT Connect

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has announced that TVT Connect, the Structural Heart Summit, will take place online June 18-28, 2020. TVT Connect features expertly developed series, late-breaking clinical science, challenging cases, industry-sponsored sessions, and connection to a community of thought leaders from across the globe.

New Research Supports Initial Conservative Management of Stable Coronary Artery Disease

New study results confirm that guideline-directed medical therapy is as effective as more invasive procedures at preventing death, stroke, and heart attack in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

The study results suggest that guideline-directed medical therapy should be the initial treatment strategy for patients with stable CAD.

The study results validate the evidence-based, guideline-directed, conservative treatment approach that the cardiovascular specialists at Nuvance Health have always used to treat CAD.

PCR and TCT Announce the Creation of a New Educational Program: Partners in Learning

PCR and TCT are proud to announce the creation of a new educational program: “Partners in Learning.” The first of its kind will focus on TAVI practitioners, taking place on 21-22 March 2020 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. It is the first ever stand-alone collaboration between TCT, PCR, and a regional core team of leading practitioners.

Treating Pulmonary Embolism: How Safe and Effective Are New Devices?

A new scientific statement from the American Heart Association identifies the risks and benefits of using novel interventional devices compared to anticoagulation alone to treat patients with pulmonary embolism.

New TAVR System Safe and Effective for High-Risk Surgical Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis

The Portico IDE study found that 30-day safety and one-year effectiveness outcomes of a novel self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system for patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) at high or extreme-risk for surgery was noninferior to contemporary FDA-approved TAVR systems available in the United States.

Three-Year COAPT Data Demonstrates Continued Safety and Effectiveness in Patients with Heart Failure and Secondary Mitral Regurgitation

The three-year results from the COAPT trial demonstrated that reducing severe secondary mitral regurgitation (SMR) with the MitraClip device safely improves prognosis in selected heart failure (HF) patients. In addition, those patients that crossed over and received the MitraClip after 24 months showed the same benefits as those who received the device at the beginning of the study. Two-year data were presented at TCT 2018 and published in the New England Journal of Medicine.

New Five-Year Data Shows Similar Outcomes for TAVR and SAVR in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis and Intermediate Surgical Risk

Five-year results from the PARTNER 2A trial found that patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and intermediate surgical risk who underwent transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) had similar rates of death and disabling stroke compared to those who had surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However, TAVR using a transthoracic approach had poorer outcomes compared to SAVR.

New Data Show that Patients with Left Main Disease Treated with PCI or CABG Have Similar Composite Outcomes at Five Years

Patients with left main coronary artery disease (LMCAD) typically have a poor prognosis due to the large amount of myocardium at risk. Revascularization with either percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG) has been shown to prolong survival in patients with left main disease compared with medical therapy alone. Three-year data from the large-scale randomized ECXEL trial found no significant difference in the composite rate of death, stroke or myocardial infarction (MI) between the two treatments, with a reduction in 30-day major adverse events with PCI. These results were first reported at TCT 2016 and published in NEJM.

Shortened Three-month DAPT Duration After PCI Demonstrates Low Rate of Adverse Events in High-Bleeding Risk Patients

Data from the EVOLVE Short DAPT study found that shortened three-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) did not increase myocardial infarction (MI) or stent thrombosis (ST) in high bleeding risk (HBR) patients treated with a contemporary drug-eluting stent.

Ticagrelor Without Aspirin Three Months After Successful PCI and DAPT Reduces Major Bleeding Without Increasing the Risk of Adverse Events

New data from the randomized, placebo-controlled TWILIGHT trial found that compared to ticagrelor plus aspirin, ticagrelor monotherapy reduces bleeding events without increasing the risk of death, myocardial infarction, or stroke in high-risk patients who have undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and completed three months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT).

Biodegradable Polymer Everolimus-eluting Stent with Shortened DAPT is Safe and Effective for PCI in Patients with Unprotected Left Main Coronary Artery Disease

New data from the IDEAL-LM trial found that a biodegradable polymer everolimus-eluting stent (BP-EES) followed by four months of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) was safe and effective compared to a conventional durable polymer everolimus-eluting stent (DP-EES) followed by 12 months of DAPT in patients undergoing PCI for unprotected left main coronary artery (uLMCA) disease.

Durable Polymer Drug-Eluting Stent Noninferior to a Polymer-Free Drug-Coated Stent in Patients at High Risk of Bleeding Treated with One-Month DAPT

The first randomized trial to compare a durable polymer drug-eluting stent to a polymer-free drug-coated stent in patients at high risk of bleeding and treated with one-month dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) found that both are clinically safe and effective.

Announcing the TCT 2019 Late-Breaking Trials and Science

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation (CRF) has announced the 12 late-breaking trials and 16 late-breaking science presentations that will be reported at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2019 scientific symposium. TCT, the world’s premier educational meeting specializing in interventional cardiovascular medicine, will take place September 25 – 29, 2019 at The Moscone Center in San Francisco, California.