Update On Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement (Video)
I recently received a very interesting email from Colin Stewart at the Orange County Registry. In a published report, Colin reviewed the next generation of minimally invasive aortic valve replacement devices from Edwards Lifesciences.
For those of you who are not familiar with the non-invasive technologies being developed for heart repair and heart valve replacement, this is exciting. Instead of breaking your sternum to gain access to the troubled aortic valve, a tiny catheter is inserted into an artery to gain access to the heart and then replace (actually smush) the aortic valve.
The benefits are no broken bones and a much faster recovery. Sounds pretty good, right? Here is a picture of two, non-invasive devices developed by Edwards Lifesciences for minimally invasive, aortic valve replacement.
Colin writes, “The device is mounted on a metal frame that is expanded by a balloon into the old valve opening, simply pushing apart the old valve to make room for the new one. The catheter enters the body through a leg artery and from there is snaked upward through the arterial system to the heart… The diameter of the new implant catheters will be about 6 millimeters, or one-quarter of an inch.”
Clinical trials for the new, minimally invasive device is slated for late 2008 in Europe.
If you would like to see Colin explain the transcatheter approach to aortic valve replacement, please watch his video at Youtube.com by clicking here.
I hope this helps explain some of the new technologies being developed for heart valve surgery.
Keep on tickin!
Adam Pick is double heart valve replacement patient and author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. This special book was designed to help patients and caregivers better understand the realities of heart valve surgery (heart valve replacement and heart valve repair), to minimize patient stress and to enhance the patient’s recovery. To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.
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March 30th, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Hi Adam — Thanks so much for sharing information about the Edwards SAPIEN transcatheter heart valve. For some additional details: the picture you posted shows (top) the current transfemoral delivery system, which is commercially available in Europe and being used in the U.S. pivotal clinical trial. It also shows (bottom) the next-generation transfemoral delivery system, which as you’ll see in the picture is a covered delivery system. Both of these are inserted through a small incision in the leg and used to delivery the aortic valve replacement via the femoral artery. Edwards is also working on a next-generation transcatheter heart valve, which the company hopes to initiate clinical trials for in Europe at the end of the year. Thanks!
March 31st, 2008 at 10:30 pm
Hi adam and folks,
I have one of the newer edwards aortic valves, placed this past january. It’s called the Theon valve, which is treated with thermafix, a leaflet treatment developed to help the leaflets of the valve last longer. Regardless, Dr. Craig Smith of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in NYC, who replaced my bicuspid aortic valve ,told me last week, during my first post op visit, that the trials for replacing valves in the way described, through the femoral artery or through one of the mammary vessels are going quite well. My interest is that in roughly 20 years or so, I will need another valve - and I dont want my chest cracked open again. (once is quite enough). So the future looks bright for those who wil need valve replacements. all the best. And as Adam says, Keep on tickin !
Gary
April 10th, 2008 at 12:00 am
Hi
My sister-in-law is scheduled for an aortic valve replacement in the Chicago area. Her severe aortic stenosis was discovered on a routine doctors visit. She had no symptoms. She would like a tissue valve versus a mechanical valve. She does not want to mess with coumadin. She understands that she will need to replace the tissue valve in 15-20 years. The mechanical valve the ON-X valve is not requiring coumadin overseas but here in the States the studies are ongoing and still recommend coumadin versus aspirin. What are your opinions for or against mechanical versus tissue?
July 18th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
Hi Adam,
I am very interested in this new procedure for future replacement of a tissue valve from Edwards. My question is what type of valve is being used in the transcatheter procedure? Is this a stented tissue valve and do they believe that it will last 15-20 years? Is this valve similar to their other valves? Just want to keep up on the new information coming out. I am scheduled for aortic valve replacement and replacement of a portion of my aorta in November. I was told that because of the aorta repair along with the valve replacement that I am not a candidate for the minimal evasive procedure at this time.
August 25th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I am scheduled to have a minimal invasive Aortic valve replaced on the 5th. They will be using the ON-X valve. Do you know about it and the surgeon Dr. William Cohn?