FDA Okays Valve That Can Be Placed Without Open-Heart Surgery (Pulmonary Valve)

[George]

I thought you folks would find this story interesting..
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100125-711169.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines

 

[BlindFaith]

Just a matter of time when this becomes the "standard" method for valve replacement !! (at least I hope so...)

 

[Jkm7]

As it seems percutaneous placement of valves is coming closer to reality, I wonder who will implant them?

Will it be Cardio-thoraxic surgeons or Interventionalist cardios?

Seems to me it will the the cardios..... they're the ones expert now at caths.
Just imagining the number of heart surgeries avoided by this method is a symphony to my senses.

 

[catwoman]

Here's more:

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/Maryland/2010/01/25/DC43036

This valve is for the pulmonary position, which means it's designed to take less of a workload than either the aortic or mitral positions.

I thought that Edwards LifeSciences started trials in 2005 on an aortic valve for transcatheter insertion. I haven't kept up with that development, but does anyone know anything about it?

 

[Bina]

My CT surgeon from Montreal, Quebec, has done one in 2008; implanted in a very senior patient who would not have survived regular open chest surgery.

 

[Marty]

I guess the mitra-clip does not qualify as a valve. It has helped some with mitral regurg including Elizabeth Taylor.

 

[Lynlw]

Here's more:

http://www.bizjournals.com/prnewswire/press_releases/Maryland/2010/01/25/DC43036

This valve is for the pulmonary position, which means it's designed to take less of a workload than either the aortic or mitral positions.

I thought that Edwards LifeSciences started trials in 2005 on an aortic valve for transcatheter insertion. I haven't kept up with that development, but does anyone know anything about it?

There are a few companies with valves now, but I think you are talking about the Sapien, last I talked to anyone about it was last may and the trials were going well then. (U of Pa hosp is right next to CHOP and share many of the same docs, they have been doing the Sapien trials)

I'm excited about the Melody getting approved, the pulm valve is the one that the people (usually starting in childhood) tend to need many surgeries thru out their lives since they can't get mechanical valves, so anything that cuts down the number of surgeries is a Blessing. So far in in the UK, they have even replaced the cath valve with another cath valve. Most of the people that got them were kids and young adults and have been able to be just as active ect as with a regular valve replacement.
When we were at CHOP last week for Justin's no surgery, we were talking about CHOP just went to get training ect to be able to do the Melody.

 

[james]

Ahhhh crap how do i get my mech valve out now?
Kidding.....

 

[Ross]

Ahhhh crap how do i get my mech valve out now?
Kidding.....

What? Once around this dance wasn't enough for you?

 

[Duffey]

It sounds very positive.

 

[drivetopless]

WHen I saw my cardiologist last week, we talked about new technologies coming down the road. He said he recently observed this installation of one of these valves. He cringed and said it was "brutal" meaning the catheter they use in the aorta was quite large. They go in through the groin.
He said it is still only for older patients who are too sick for a surgical valve replacement.

 

[njean]

My thoughts traveled immediately to my friend Dawn-Marie & how this new technology may be able to help her with her inoperable bi-cuspid aortic valve.

Pray that she continues to stay well long enough to benefit from this ever advancing medical technology.

 

[Lynlw]

WHen I saw my cardiologist last week, we talked about new technologies coming down the road. He said he recently observed this installation of one of these valves. He cringed and said it was "brutal" meaning the catheter they use in the aorta was quite large. They go in through the groin.
He said it is still only for older patients who are too sick for a surgical valve replacement.

He was talking about the Aortic valves that are still in clinical trials to get FDA approval, that are only for older /sicker patients. These are for anyone, most of the people in the trials were children and young otherwise healthy adults. Even tho the cath is large, it is probably less brutal than going thru OHS.

 

[Marguerite53]

HI GEORGE!!

I'm too lazy tonight to read your article, but I wanted to jump out and say hello. How are you doing these days, anyway??

Best wishes!!

Marguerite