Mitral Valve

The heart's mitral valve is the site of the most surgical valve repairs and valve replacements. After the resounding success of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), which now makes up more than 50% of aortic valve replacements, there is wide expectation transcatheter mitral replacements will follow in the next few year. Currently, the most common transcatheter mitral procedure is transcatheter edge-to-edge (TEER) , using the MitraClip or Pascal clip devices. These devices are also being used for transcatheter tricuspid valve repair (TTVR). Other transcatheter mitral repair systems are in trials for minimally invasive annuloplasty and chordae tendineae repair.

Mitral valve repair vs. replacement: Surgeons track long-term outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis
Mitral valve repair was linked to a significant improvement in long-term survival when treating infective endocarditis. Some patients are not good candidates for a repair procedure, however, making replacement the best possible option.
Cardiologists make history, complete world’s first robotic transcatheter mitral valve replacements
One of the cardiologists involved in the procedures said they represent "a significant leap forward in structural heart intervention."
Surgeons make history, perform world’s first living mitral valve replacement
The historic heart procedure was part of a series of operations that saved the lives of three young girls. “The whole situation is extraordinary, whether you look at it from the standpoint of a scientific breakthrough or the average person’s point of view,” one parent said.
Key details on the use of ICE to guide structural heart procedures
Scott Lim, MD, details his experience using intracardiac echo to help guide structural heart procedures with or without traditional TEE. One key benefit of ICE, he explained, is its ability to overcome imaging challenges posed by prior cardiac surgeries.
Robotic mitral repair compares favorably to surgery—but some concerns remain
Robotic-assisted mitral valve repair is associated with short-term outcomes comparable to conventional surgery, according to a new analysis of more than 40,000 patients. Robotic treatment also helps patients spend less time in the hospital, but the costs are much higher.

The Tria surgical mitral valve is built using LifePolymer, a proprietary material that does not include animal tissue. Both the frame of the valve and its leaflets are generated by computer to match each patient’s native mitral valve. According to Foldax, this new-look polymer reduces the long-term risk of valve calcification, and patients should be able to bounce back after surgery without requiring the long-time use of anticoagulants.

New-look polymer mitral valve linked to positive outcomes 30 days after surgery

The new surgical valve from Foldax was designed to limit calcification and make it so patients do not require long-term anticoagulant therapy following treatment.

M&A mergers and acquisitions business deal

Edwards Lifesciences sells critical care business to BD for $4.2B—remains ‘laser focused’ on structural heart disease

This move represents a pivot of sorts for Edwards; instead of pursuing a spin-off of its critical care business, the company is now doubling down on its commitment to develop new structural heart technologies. BD, meanwhile, says the transaction will deliver significant value.

Transcatheter mitral valve interventions linked to lower stroke risk than surgery

Researchers performed a new meta-analysis of data from more than 51,000 patients. They examined a wide range of outcomes that also included AFib and all-cause mortality.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

New York Valves, CRF’s newest cardiology conference, makes heart team collaborations a priority

New York Valves: The Structural Heart Summit replaces the Transcatheter Valve Therapy conference CRF hosted for many years. The three-day event will include 12 late-breaking clinical trials focused on TAVR and new treatments for the mitral and tricuspid valves.

FDA grants breakthrough device designation to new TMVR device from 4C Medical

The supra-annular AltaValve System was designed to treat both primary and secondary mitral regurgitation. It is implanted via transseptal access and positioned above the native mitral valve.

First-in-Man Experience of Robotic-Assisted Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair With Pure Echo Guidance

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER

A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons launches new risk calculators for SAVR after TAVR, other key heart surgeries

STS risk calculators are known as a go-to resource for cardiologists, surgeons and any other healthcare providers who manage the care of heart patients.

Abbott's Tendyne device for transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR). Image courtesy of Abbott

TMVR vs. mitral valve surgery: Tendyne linked to improved survival in elderly patients

New data out of Germany suggest TMVR can offer intermediate-risk patients a safe alternative to surgery.

Mitral Valve

Mitral valve repair vs. replacement: Surgeons track long-term outcomes in patients with infective endocarditis

Cardiologists make history, complete world’s first robotic transcatheter mitral valve replacements

Surgeons make history, perform world’s first living mitral valve replacement

Key details on the use of ICE to guide structural heart procedures

Robotic mitral repair compares favorably to surgery—but some concerns remain