Medtronic presented its portfolio of transcatheter valves at Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) 2009, the global annual meeting for interventional cardiologists. The event was held last month in San Francisco.

Medtronic’s CoreValve percutaneous aortic valve system

The Medtronic CoreValve percutaneous aortic valve system is designed to replace a diseased aortic heart valve without open-heart surgery and without surgical removal of the failed valve. Instead, the device is typically delivered through the femoral artery. Commercially available internationally, the CoreValve system is investigational in the United States.

"We are pleased that more than 5,000 patients around the world have received this groundbreaking technology, and we will continue to work to expand the reach of each of our transcatheter valves” says Dr. John Liddicoat, vice president and general manager of Medtronic CardioVascular's Structural Heart business.  Minneapolis-based Medtronic acquired Irvine, CA-based CoreValve in April. Use of the Medtronic CoreValve system continues to grow. The system is used at about 200 centers in 27 non-U.S. countries and in about 75% of all percutaneous (transarterial) aortic valve replacement procedures.

"The self-expanding nitinol platform used in the CoreValve is “the platform of the future,” says Prof. Ian Meredith of Monash Medical Center in Australia. “Its innovative design enables safe, precise and controlled delivery, and it enables the implanting physician to reposition or retrieve the device with ease and confidence."