Healthcare Industry News: Mitralign
News Release - November 7, 2006
Mitralign Shines at TCT 2006; Performs Live Case & Reveals Clinical Strategy
TEWKSBURY, Mass.--(HSMN NewsFeed)--For the first time, Mitralign demonstrated, in a pre-clinical model the capability of its Catheter-based Direct Annuloplasty System to treat mitral regurgitation (MR). This procedure that emulates surgical mitral valve repair was transmitted via satellite to the Trans-catheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics meeting in Washington DC last week. The session was moderated by course director, Dr. Martin Leon and included thought leading panel members Don Baim, MD and John Webb, MD.Broadcast from the Jack H. Skirball Center for Cardiovascular Research, Mitralign performed a live pre-clinical case. During the case, operator Adam Groothuis, associate director, ECI Laboratory, Brigham and Women's Hospital, led the audience through the procedure steps and revealed live the ability of the device to directly treat the posterior mitral valve. Clinically, this procedure is intended to reduce the size of the mitral valve circumference in patients who have MR due to a dilated mitral valve. Mr. Groothuis has worked directly with the Mitralign team to develop the procedure in the pre-clinical model and bring it to a clinically viable stage.
In addition, Ted Feldman, MD (Evanston Hospital; Evanston, IL), updated the cardiology-focused audience on the progress Mitralign has made. Dr. Feldman shared that he has had hands on experience with the device in a pre-clinical model validating the live pre-clinical procedure. He further disclosed that the company has conducted animal and bench testing necessary to proceed to human clinical studies which it plans to initiate in Q1 2007.
John MacMahon, President & Chief Executive Officer stated "The dedication the team has shown to achieve an elegant solution for clinical has been compelling. We were pleased to have the opportunity to educate the cardiology community first hand on our endeavor to provide new options to them and their patients."
Combining surgical precision with interventional therapy, Mitralign is developing an innovative, catheter-based mitral valve repair system that not only provides an alternative to open heart surgery but simulates the surgical repair technique. The condition treated, mitral valve regurgitation, exacerbates Congestive Heart Failure and has even has proven to increase the risk of mortality in patients afflicted with CHF, a disease affecting 25 million worldwide. The Mitralign system will provide an expanded group of patients with an option to remedy this destructive risk factor.
Source: Mitralign
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