2021. The year in review. Structural heart interventions

Konstantinos Marmagkiolis1, Cezar A Iliescu2, Cindy L Grines3

  • 1Cardiology, University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States of America; Cardiology, Univeristy of South Florida, Tampa, FL, United States of America.

Insights

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted cardiology, shifting conferences online and delaying structural heart interventions and clinical trials. This review offers an overview for cardiologists interested in structural heart interventions.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Interventional Cardiology

Background:

  • The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly altered medical practices starting in 2020.
  • Virtual platforms largely replaced in-person cardiology conferences.
  • Significant disruptions occurred in elective structural heart interventions and clinical research.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a comprehensive overview of structural heart interventions.
  • To address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the field.
  • To inform general and interventional cardiologists.

Main Methods:

  • Review of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on cardiology practice.
  • Analysis of changes in structural heart interventions.
  • Examination of setbacks in clinical research and trials.

Main Results:

  • Decline in elective structural heart interventions observed.
  • Major setbacks reported in academic and industry-sponsored clinical trials.
  • Shift towards virtual conferences became the norm.

Conclusions:

  • The pandemic necessitated adaptation in cardiology practice and research.
  • Structural heart intervention landscape has been reshaped.
  • Continuous review and adaptation are crucial for the field's progression.

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