Cath Lab

The Edwards Cardioband Tricuspid Valve Reconstruction System received the European CE mark approval in May, becoming the first transcatheter tricuspid repair device to be approved in the world.

FFR-CT was by far the hottest cardiac technology topic on DAIC in July. Eight of the top 20 pieces of content were about or mention FFR-CT. This image shows an example of the image-based technology that noninvasively assesses coronary fractional flow reserve (FFR) for the entire coronary tree. The CT image on the left shows two heavily calcified coronary arteries, but the FFR-CT analysis shows there is not a significant impact on hemodynamics, so the patient does not need revascularization. 

The Abbott Tendyne transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) system.

A comparison of a CT image of heavily calcified coronary arteries that appear to present a significant hemodynamic blockage and the corresponding FFR-CT showing the patient had adequate blood flow and does not need a diagnostic angiogram or intervention. Image courtesy of Kavitha Chinnaiyan, William Beaumont Hospital.