Medical Design and Outsourcing

The 10 greatest medtech advances of the 2010s

By

2. TAVR

Edwards Sapien 3 Ultra TAVR

Edwards Lifesciences’ Sapien 3 Ultra TAVR [Image courtesy of Edwards Lifesciences]

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that replaces and repairs damaged heart valves. The procedure places a replacement valve where the aortic valve is, according to the American Heart Association. It is inserted similarly to a stent in that the valve is fully collapsible and delivered to the valve site through a catheter.

The procedure was initially used as a last-chance option for people with severe aortic disease, but the procedure saw ever-expanding indications through the 2010s. Recent studies suggest TAVR overall could be a safe alternative to traditional surgery. The FDA in August 2019 cleared heart valves made by Medtronic (NYSE:MDT) and Edwards Lifesciences (NYSE:EW) for use in patients at low risk from open-heart surgery.

The success of TAVR has sparked a race to commercialize transcatheter mitral valve replacement devices. – DK

Next>>

You may also like:

About The Author

Chris Newmarker

Chris Newmarker is the executive editor of WTWH Media life science's news websites and publications including MassDevice, Medical Design & Outsourcing and more. A professional journalist of 18 years, he is a veteran of UBM (now Informa) and The Associated Press whose career has taken him from Ohio to Virginia, New Jersey and, most recently, Minnesota. He’s covered a wide variety of subjects, but his focus over the past decade has been business and technology. He holds bachelor’s degrees in journalism and political science from Ohio State University. Connect with him on LinkedIn or email at cnewmarker@wtwhmedia.com.

Related Articles Read More >

Search Medical Design & Outsourcing