Focusing on Balloon Technology

Calcific aortic stenosis is the most common cause of acquired valvular heart disease in the Western world affecting more than 3% of the general population over the age of 75. It is the primary indication for surgical aortic valve replacement. Converting this open-chest procedure to a less invasive catheter-based procedure is the most compelling technology development in the cardio device market today.

Over one hundred thousand transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures annually are predicted for the future. While several companies are developing percutaneous valves for this new procedure, the critical first step of the implant, the predilatation of the native aortic valve, has been overlooked by virtually all of the companies limiting the choices of the implanting physician to balloon technology that is more than 20 years old.

Recognizing this technology gap, a highly experienced group of cardiologists and industry executives have teamed up to advance innovations in aortic valvuloplasty balloon catheter design that improve procedure safety and efficacy.