Pericardial aortic surgical valve approved in U.S. and Europe

The Avalus valve is the latest addition to Medtronic's robust portfolio of innovative heart valve therapy solutions. In addition to being the only stented surgical aortic valve on the market that is MRI-safe (without restrictions), the Avalus valve is designed for excellent implantability, an important factor during complex cases.

"The proven design elements of the Avalus valve were selected with physicians and patients in mind striving to improve upon the latest generation of stented tissue valves while maintaining the gold standard in cardiac surgery," said Robert Klautz, M.D., cardiac surgeon and department head of cardiothoracic surgery at the Leiden University Medical Center in The Netherlands.

Prof. Klautz is also the co-primary investigator of the PERIGON trial, evaluating the safety and efficacy of the Avalus valve. "Based on my early clinical experience, the unique design elements of the Avalus valve position it well toward meeting the expectations of durability for new tissue valves and helps ease implantation in a wide range of patient anatomies."

The Avalus valve represents the next generation in pericardial aortic surgical valves for patients who are candidates for surgery. The Avalus valve features several significant developments, including:

• a supra-annular design for excellent hemodynamic performance, intended to limit central regurgitation.
• Interior-mounted leaflet and frame design to enhance durability.
• a low-profile valve design, streamlined valve holder and a single, one-cut release to facilitate ease of implantation.

"Medtronic is committed to advancing its surgical portfolio to offer cardiac surgeons a contemporary option to help meet the individual needs of this patient population," said Rhonda Robb, vice president and general manager of the Heart Valve Therapies business, a part of Medtronic's Cardiac and Vascular Group.

"By continuing to collaborate with leading cardiac surgeons around the world, we look forward to bringing heart valve replacement solutions like the Avalus valve to assist in expanding access and improving outcomes for clinical and patient communities."

The CE Mark and FDA approval of the Avalus valve is based on subsets of data from the PERIGON Pivotal Trial, a single arm, non-randomised, prospective study of more than 1,100 patients from approximately 40 clinical sites across Europe, Canada and the United States.

One of the largest, most comprehensive and modern data sets of surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) patients, results from the trial were recently presented by Dr. Joseph Sabik of the UH Cleveland Medical Center at the American Association of Thoracic Surgery (AATS) annual meeting in Boston, and showed low rates of adverse valve-related events, high survival and improved hemodynamic performance at one year. Patients enrolled in the trial will be followed out to five years. The Avalus valve will be commercially available later this year.

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists worldwide, Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias.

The company strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value to healthcare consumers and providers around the world.