Heart valves regulate blood flow, and major calcium buildup there can be life threatening. So is open-heart surgery for patients with the condition.
The FDA has approved the Tendyne device to replace the mitral heart valve through a small incision between the ribs.
Dr. Paul Sorajja with Banner-University Medical Center in Phoenix helped develop the device. In a clinical trial of just over 100 patients, nearly 90% saw significant improvement in heart failure symptoms.
"It does replace high risk surgery, which is very important. It’s a very safe procedure. We found it to be safer than conventional surgery. So it’s a great option for patients who often go untreated," Sorajja said.
Sorajja said patients often spent less than a week in the hospital after their operation.
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