Medtronic (NYSE: MDT) announced today that it kicked off the European launch of its VitalFlow one-system ECMO solution.
The VitalFlow extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system within the Cardiac Surgery portfolio won CE mark in June. It aims to bridge the gap between bedside care and intra-hospital transport through a simple, fully integrated portfolio.
Medtronic — one of the largest medtech companies in the world — said it plans to officially launch VitalFlow in Europe at the 39th European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) Annual Meeting from October 8-11 in Copenhagen, Denmark.
“The VitalFlow ECMO system is more than a system – it represents a step forward in transforming how ECMO is delivered across Europe, supporting care teams in providing support to critically ill patients and contributing to advancing patient care,” said Giuseppe Savoja, the medtech giant’s senior business director for Western Europe. “Medtronic offers the most comprehensive Cardiac Surgery portfolio available today. This launch underscores Medtronic’s commitment to advancing life-restoring medical technologies that address acute cardiopulmonary needs, and it reinforces our dedication to this critical field.”
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Medtronic first began rolling out VitalFlow technology in the U.S. in September 2024. It added the technology through its March 2024 acquisition of MC3 Cardiopulmonary. The company said its acquisition at that time marked the culmination of an eight-year partnership and distribution agreement. This deal with the company’s Cardiac Surgery business resulted in the introduction of seven new ECMO products in seven years.
The VitalFlow extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) system provides temporary support for the heart and lungs. It works by circulating a patient’s blood outside the body through a specialized machine. ECMO adds oxygen and removes carbon dioxide, essentially taking over the functions of the heart and lungs.
Savoja touts the system’s easily portable form factor, enabling it to move from various departments within the hospital setting. VitalFlow also incorporates the previously launched Medtronic Nautilus ECMO oxygenator design as well.
“As patient complexity grows, so do the evolving needs of clinicians in the ECMO space,” said Dr. Pieter Kappetein, chief medical officer for Cardiac Surgery at Medtronic. “This is driving demand for innovative solutions across multiple disease areas, and Medtronic is well positioned to meet those needs by advancing treatment options that better support patients.”
