Innovative Cardiac Treatments for a Healthy Heart

By Your Health Magazine

It’s an exciting time for heart patients and surgeons, with studies showing that over one million cardiac surgical procedures occur yearly. Take the case of injectable medications, which allow patients to have twice-monthly injections of their heart medications instead of having to remember to take them orally daily. New injectables have been developed which can be delivered every six months, instead of every fortnight. This is just one of many new developments that are making it easier for people to stay on top of their health, prevent heart disease, and deal more effectively with cardiovascular disease (CVD) if they already have it.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI), also known as Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR), is considered revolutionary in the treatment of aortic valve stenosis, especially for high-risk patients who may not be good candidates for open-heart surgery. Aortic valve stenosis is a condition caused by the stiffening or narrowing of the aortic valve, which brings blood from the heart to the body. The TAVI procedure involves replacing a faulty aortic valve with a new one made from natural animal tissue. This valve can open and close fully with every heartbeat, so sufficient blood reaches the aorta.

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists

GLP-1 Receptor Agonists are medications that help promote weight loss and lower blood sugar levels. They have many additional benefits for the heart, as they lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and kidney disease, improve lipid disorders, and more. GLP-1 Receptor Agonists are typically administered in the form of an injection (usually once a week and, in some cases, once or twice a day). They are generally safe, though they may cause allergic reactions.

Mitral Valve Clips

Mitral valves are like doors that open and close, allowing blood to flow out of the top chamber of the heart to the bottom chamber. They need to close completely once the blood flows into the bottom chamber. However, in the case of mitral valves that do not shut well, the blood may flow back into the upper chamber and into the lungs (this process is called regurgitation). This can lead to an irregular heartbeat, heart failure, and chest pain. Mitral valve clips improve this problem by helping the valve close tightly. The clip is attached to the abnormal part of the valve, thus minimizing regurgitation through the valve.

AI for Flawless Diagnosis

Artificial intelligence can be used to process vast volumes of data, including MRIs. This process can bring tiny patterns and anomalies to light, especially those that are often missed by the human eye. Two research studies have already shown that AI can effectively predict the risk of CVD events and detect heart valvular disease. One study showed that an AI analysis of heart sounds via a digital stethoscope was more precise at detecting heart valve disease than a healthcare professional listening to the sounds on a traditional stethoscope. Another study found that an AI/deep learning program effectively sorted images of patients with prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes, thus determining their risk of cardiac disease events.

Cardiac Surgery with Robotic Assistance

Robots are playing an increasingly important role in surgery and heart surgery is no exception. Robotic heart surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that allows surgeons to control surgical tools attached to thin robotic arms. The technology permits surgeons to perform a myriad of surgeries with smaller incisions. Thus far, robotic tech is helping cardiac surgeons perform operations like mitral valve repair, removal of benign cardiac tumors, and closure of some types of holes in the heart. The robotic system comprises a 3D zoom of the area being operated upon, instruments on robotic arms that mimic the way a human hand moves, and controls that translate the surgeon’s hand and wrist movements into movements of the surgical tools. These movements are delivered with top precision.

New technology is making it easier to diagnose, prevent, and treat CVD. Just a few treatments to watch out for include TAVI, GLP-1 receptor agonists, and mitral valve clips. Technology is also a big player on the scene, with robotics and AI enabling surgeons to produce precise, less invasive procedures than in the recent past.