Researchers have implanted the first transcatheter mitral valve replacement device, which could save the lives of patients suffering from disease or damage to their heart valves who are not good candidates for surgery.
The research was conducted by the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation (MHIF) at Minneapolis Heart Institute at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.
"The Tendyne Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve is designed to give implanting physicians total control because it is fully repositionable and retrievable which allows physicians to see the outcome before the procedure is closed," said principle investigator Dr. Wes Pedersen.
The device is an apically tethered tri-leaflet porcine pericardial valve sewn onto a Nitinol frame that is designed to address etiology mitral regurgitation.
"The transcatheter procedure involves implanting the replacement valve inside a beating heart without the need for open heart surgery or cardiopulmonary bypass. Through a small incision in the chest, a catheter enters the bottom of the heart and travels into the left ventricle to position the replacement valve within the natural mitral valve," said Dr. Robert Saeid Farivar, chief cardiothoracic surgeon and co-principal Investigator in the study.
Studies such as this one help keep the United States ahead in terms of emerging transcatheter valve therapy research
"Collaborating and learning together across research, technology and regulatory improves our ability to identify potential innovative treatments and better patient outcomes here in the U.S. This first study implant has occurred, the participant is ready for discharge and we couldn't be more thrilled," Pedersen said.
