Shares of Neovasc (NSDQ:NVCN) are up today after the medical device company released study results showing that its Reducer device for treating angina doesn’t worsen heart function and may in fact help.

The Vancouver-based company said the 24-patient study of patients treated with Reducer, which is designed to narrow the coronary sinus, showed no significant change in measurements of diastolic function at six months, but a significant decrease in mean diastolic function class.

“Coronary sinus narrowing in patients with myocardial ischemia and refractory angina does not adversely affect diastolic function and may actually improve it,” the researchers concluded.

“We are pleased to report evidence that CS narrowing may also improve diastolic function in patients with chronic refractory angina and proven myocardial ischemia. We believe this study has the potential to further encourage cardiologists to treat refractory angina patients with coronary sinus narrowing without the concern of adverse effects on the relaxation properties of the heart,” co-author Dr. Shmuel Banai, medical director at Neovasc, said in prepared remarks.

News of the study, published last month in the International Journal of Cardiology, sent NVCN shares up 6.9% to 43.99¢ apiece today in pre-market trading. The stock was up 2.6% to 42.26¢ per share today in mid-day activity.