SCAI has elected George D. Dangas, MD, MSCAI, as its new president, succeeding Suni V. Rao, MD, MSCAI. Dr. Dangas will lead the society in advancing interventional cardiology and promoting excellence in patient care.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) recognized outstanding interventionalists with the Master Interventionalists of SCAI (MSCAI) designation. The recipients demonstrated excellence in invasive/interventional cardiology, innovation, publication, and teaching.
Njambi Mathenge has been selected as the recipient of the SCAI-WIN CHIP Fellowship, offering her additional year of advanced training focusing on complex and high-risk coronary intervention. She will pursue her fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has created a new recognition program, 30 in Their 30's, to celebrate the contributions of early-career interventional cardiologists. The award highlights leadership and demonstration of SCAI's core values.
A study analyzing European guidelines found that patients with specific characteristics may benefit from longer-term treatment with multiple blood thinners. High-risk patients experienced higher rates of complications due to blood clotting, emphasizing the need for personalized care.
A new analysis of chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) treatment outcomes found that surgical revascularization is superior to endovascular treatment in patients with higher comorbidities. The study analyzed a broader clinical population than the BEST-CLI trial and found similar outcome rates for Medicare beneficiaries.
A large-scale study found that patients with pulmonary embolism treated with mechanical thrombectomy showed significant improvement in symptoms, quality of life, and cardiac functions. Long-term data also suggested low mortality rates following treatment with the FlowTriever System.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has awarded Early Career Research Grants to two junior interventional cardiologists, Nadia Sutton and Eric Secemsky. Their projects focus on high-priority topics in cardiovascular disease, including coronary microvascular dysfunction and peripheral vascular interventions.
The next-generation Evolut FX TAVR system shows improved deliverability, tracking, and deployment compared to its predecessor. This is particularly beneficial for patients with difficult anatomies, where the new device's predictable deployment can improve coronary access, blood flow, and valve performance.
The TWILIGHT trial found ticagrelor monotherapy after PCI to have a similar risk of repeat revascularization and MACCE compared to dual antiplatelet therapy. Ticagrelor monotherapy was also associated with lower NACE and clinically-driven revascularization risk.
A new analysis of COVID-19 patients with heart attacks reveals increased clotting in coronary arteries before and after treatment. High TGB was observed in 74% of patients pre-intervention and 29% post intervention.
The CLIPPER cohort of over 1 million patients found that 1 in 6 died within the first year and 50% survived at five years after diagnosis. The study aims to develop process measures for high-quality care and improve survival rates.
A novel low-profile pVAD system demonstrated 100% procedural success and no device-related adverse events in a first-in-human trial. The device supports cardiovascular hemodynamics with minimal hemolysis and low risk of vascular complications, aiming to minimize morbidity and improve patient outcomes
A new virtual coronary roadmap tool has been shown to reduce the volume of iodinated contrast needed during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). The Dynamic Coronary Roadmap (DCR) effectively decreases contrast usage by 28.8%, potentially lowering the risk of contrast-induced nephropathy.
A new study confirms that distal radial artery access is safe and effective for cardiac catheterization, without increasing the risk of hand dysfunction. The one-year findings from the DIPRA study demonstrate comparable outcomes between distal radial artery and conventional proximal radial artery access.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) has released an expert consensus on the management of in-stent restenosis and stent thrombosis. The guidelines emphasize frequent use of intracoronary imaging to determine the precise etiology and guide selection of treatment options.
SCAI honored J. Dawn Abbott, MD, FSCAI and Douglas E. Drachman, MD, FSCAI with the Mason Sones Award for Distinguished Service for their efforts in education and quality of care. The Society also recognized Theodore A. Bass, MD, MSCAI, and Lee N. Benson, MD, MSCAI with lifetime service awards for their substantial contributions to SCAI.
A recent study found that marijuana users are at a significantly increased risk of developing peripheral artery disease, with users being three times more likely to develop the condition than non-users. The study highlights the importance of early and frequent screening for this progressive disease, which can drastically impact quality...
A new study using NIS data found that patients living in densely populated areas are at a lower risk of mortality from CLI, with females also benefiting from decreased mortality rates. Researchers suggest encouraging active lifestyles and vigorous exercise regimens to prevent progression and decrease mortality risk.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions is launching a program to introduce future physicians to interventional cardiology. The Ready to Launch - Careers in Cardiology program will host medical students from the Phoenix area and provide them with impactful conversations, training paths, and hands-on demonstrations.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions (SCAI) and the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) released an updated expert consensus statement on transcatheter left atrial appendage closure, focusing on best practices for endovascular devices. The recommendations emphasize operator experience, patient selection, and imaging guidan...
The study found substantial drop in laboratory radiation, with most cases producing undetectable radiation exposure to cardiology staff. The new radiation protection system reduces overall room radiation and eliminates head and face exposure, promoting workplace safety.
A new expert consensus statement proposes a revised PCI treatment algorithm that expands the type of cases that can be performed with no-SOS, considering operator experience and facility preparation. The statement highlights low rates of complications and similar outcomes to PCIs performed at surgical centers.
A new study reveals that shockwave intravascular lithotripsy (IVL)-assisted transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) can effectively treat severely calcified mitral valves in patients with severe stenosis and regurgitation. Post-procedural imaging showed progressive valve frame expansion, increased valve area, and resolution of MR.
A first-in-human study using the ModulHeart device showed significant improvements in cardiac output, left ventricular end diastolic pressure, and urine output in patients with heart failure. The study demonstrated the feasibility and safety of cardiorenal support among patients undergoing high-risk PCI.
A multi-center study evaluates the Alleviant System, a transcatheter technology that reduces pressure in the left atrium without implantation. The device demonstrates procedural safety and feasibility, with promising efficacy signals through six months.
A new analysis of the PROGRESS-CTO registry shows a significant increase in successful CTO PCI procedures, with higher efficiency and lower risk of complications. The findings demonstrate improved operator training and real-world experience leading to better patient outcomes.
The study found that patients treated with paclitaxel drug-coated devices (DCDs) had a similar survival rate as those treated with non-drug coated devices (NDCDs), regardless of the patient's mortality risk and device type. The analysis included over 168,000 patients treated from 2015 to 2018.
A real-world study found that clopidogrel monotherapy was associated with reduced risk of net adverse clinical events and major cardiac events, compared to aspirin monotherapy. Clopidogrel also showed a lower incidence rate of clinically relevant bleeding events.
A new analysis from the NACMI registry found that STEMI patients with COVID-19 have a significant increased risk of in-hospital mortality compared to pre-pandemic levels. Clinical characteristics and treatment strategies differ between men and women, highlighting the need for continued research into cardiovascular health impacts of COV...
The Disrupt PAD III trial found intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) to be effective in treating severely calcified peripheral artery lesions, with high patency rates compared to percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). IVL also showed reduced severe complications and need for additional interventions.
The DIPRA study found no significant difference in hand function between distal radial artery access and conventional proximal radial artery access. Radial artery occlusion occurred more frequently with PRA, but the risk was negligible.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions has released official guidelines for the management of patent foramen ovale (PFO), addressing five clinical scenarios. The guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for PFO closure in various situations, aligning with stroke neurology principles.
A one-year study validated the Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve (TPV) system's safety and efficacy in treating congenital heart disease patients with severe pulmonary regurgitation. The study showed favorable clinical and hemodynamic outcomes, including low mortality rates and minimal interventions.
A retrospective analysis reveals significantly higher mortality rates for low-income residents hospitalized with STEMI compared to higher-income residents. The findings highlight the need to examine social factors that impact healthcare outcomes for the most vulnerable.
A nationwide study reveals lower rates of cardiac catheterization and revascularization among non-Hispanic Black patients with a history of cocaine use compared to white patients. The findings suggest implicit bias in treatment, emphasizing the need for health equity.
A nationwide study analyzing rates of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) found a nearly 30% decline following the COVID-19 pandemic. STEMI cases have yet to recover to pre-pandemic levels, suggesting continued hesitation among patients to seek hospital care despite having a heart att...
A nationwide study of 100 million hospitalizations found that percutaneous coronary intervention is safe and increasing among cancer patients. The study suggests that PCI can nearly double from 2016 to 2018 among patients with thrombocytopenia, without significantly increasing mortality.
The NACMI registry reported a 25% reduction in early mortality among STEMI patients with COVID-19 infection compared to 2020. Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 was found to significantly reduce hospital deaths, with no deaths reported among vaccinated patients.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) has released a position statement on best practices for clinical proctoring, aiming to reduce the potential risks involved with medical proctoring. The document highlights the importance of effective communication, preparation, and oversight in proctoring experiences.
Renal denervation (RDN) may complement medical therapy and lifestyle interventions for patients with uncontrolled hypertension. The procedure has shown consistent reductions in blood pressure in sham-controlled trials, highlighting its potential as a device-based therapy.
A meta-analysis found that adding revascularization to medical therapy reduces cardiovascular death by 21% in patients with stable ischemic heart disease. The benefit increases over time, with a greater impact on survival for those with extensive disease.
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions recognized three outstanding interventionalists, Dr. Ian C. Gilchrist, Dr. Eberhard Grube, and Dr. Carey Kimmelstiel, with the Master Interventionalists of SCAI (MSCAI) designation for their excellence in invasive cardiology. The designations acknowledge their commitment to c...
The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions (SCAI) recognized four outstanding interventionalists with the Master Interventionalists of SCAI (MSCAI) designation. The recipients, Ian C. Gilchrist, Eberhard Grube, and Carey Kimmelstiel, have demonstrated excellence in invasive/interventional cardiology through their clin...
The Harmony transcatheter pulmonary valve system is a less invasive treatment option for patients with CHD and RVOT abnormalities. The one-year results show no mortality, endocarditis, or need for surgical intervention, with over 90% of patients reporting little to no pulmonary regurgitation.
A new international registry analysis reveals benefits of using longer covered stents for interventional procedures in congenital heart disease patients. The study found that these longer stents significantly reduce the need for additional stents and minimize procedural risk factors, potentially replacing open-heart surgery.
A study analyzing Medicare claims data between 2012 and 2018 found that TAVR hospital programs are predominantly located in metropolitan areas serving patients with higher socioeconomic status. As a result, the study reveals inequitable access to TAVR programs for non-metropolitan or lower-income areas across the country.
Two studies demonstrate the benefits of patient-forward approach to PCI, where systematically avoiding high-risk cases worsens hospital quality. Robotic-assisted technology shows safety and efficacy in treating complex lesions, reducing occupational hazards for physicians.
A new study reveals that only 32.3% of US patients undergoing PCI for SIHD met ISCHEMIA trial inclusion criteria, while others had high-risk features or negative functional testing. These findings suggest the trial's results may not be representative of real-world interventional practice.
The study analyzed over 1,600 patients with STEMI during the COVID-19 pandemic and found that those with COVID-19 positive status had higher in-hospital mortality and were less likely to receive diagnostic angiograms. Additionally, patients of minority ethnicity and with diabetes had poorer outcomes.