May 12, 2017—Millipede, Inc. announced that it has successfully completed its first clinical use of its transcatheter Iris complete annuloplasty ring. At the Italian Hospital in Asunción, Paraguay, Jason Rogers, MD, and Prof. Eberhard Grube, MD, used the catheter-based system to successfully treat two patients with clinically significant mitral valve regurgitation and heart failure. Both patients were discharged from the hospital within 48 hours of the procedure.
Dr. Rogers is Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine at UC Davis Health in Davis, California. Prof. Grube is Head, Center of Innovative Innovations, Heart Center Bonn at University Bonn in Bonn, Germany. Steven F. Bolling, MD, Professor of Cardiac Surgery at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan, was in attendance for the procedures.
In the company’s press release, Prof. Grube commented, “The successful percutaneous implant of the Iris complete annuloplasty ring represents a breakthrough in the transcatheter treatment of functional and possibly degenerative mitral insufficiency.” Dr. Rogers added, “The ability to deliver the gold standard for mitral valve repair—a complete annuloplasty ring—via a transfemoral venous approach has the potential to expand options for patients around the world. We are extremely pleased with the early outcomes of these first transcatheter cases.”
According to the company, the Iris transcatheter annuloplasty ring is a complete semirigid annuloplasty ring that reproduces the current surgical standard of care for valvular regurgitation. The implant avoids any impact to the left ventricular outflow tract because it is placed in the supra-annular position. The transcatheter implant is repositionable and adjustable, optimizing annular reduction under echocardiography. The device also enables future repair or valve replacement, preserving options for the patient and physician.