Abbott (NYSE:ABT) today announced the first patient procedures with its investigational transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system.
The company designed its investigational software-guided, balloon-expandable TAVI system to build a foundation for AI-guided procedures. It hopes to add the expandable system to its structural heart portfolio alongside the already available Navitor TAVI system.
Abbott designed its system to work by crimping the new heart valve on a deflated balloon. The balloon with the mounted valve is then inserted into the body through an artery in the groin. It then gets routed to the heart. Once properly positioned in the narrowed heart valve, the balloon inflates to expand the new valve, taking over the function of the native valve. The balloon then deflates and is removed from the body.
Investigators conducted the first-in-human procedures at the Republican Centre of Emergency Medicine in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The cases took place in collaboration with site principal investigator, interventional cardiologist, Dr. Saidamir Djafarov. Dr. Azeem Latib and Dr. Vinayak Bapat took part in the first procedures as well.
Abbott said it wants to offer a differentiated TAVI platform incorporating AI to enhance ease of use and precision. The company also wants to offer best-in-class hemodynamic performance.
“Abbott’s experience in the TAVI market gives us a unique understanding of the remaining unmet needs, and we’re applying this knowledge to develop future therapies to close that gap,” said Sandra Lesenfants, SVP of Abbott’s Structural Heart business. “By closely partnering with physicians on research into new innovations, we’re positioned to advance investigational therapies that have the potential to transform patient treatment.”
