TAMPA, Fla., Jan. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Edwards Lifesciences Corporation , the world leader in heart valve technologies, announced today the U.S. launch of its ThermaFix advanced tissue treatment process, which will now be available on the company's Carpentier-Edwards PERIMOUNT Magna replacement tissue heart valves. The new combination of technologies will be formally unveiled at the 41st annual scientific meeting of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in Tampa, Fla., January 24 - 26.
Edwards co-developed the ThermaFix process with biochemist Sophie Carpentier, Ph.D., and her husband Prof. Alain Carpentier, chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou in Paris. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that, when compared to Edwards' current market-leading tissue treatment, the ThermaFix process significantly reduces leaflet calcification, which is one of the primary causes of tissue valve deterioration.
"Although pericardial valves have demonstrated decades of reliable performance, mitigating the calcification of a tissue valve's leaftlets has been a focus of research and development since their introduction," said Albert Starr, M.D., medical director of the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute in Oregon, and co-inventor of the Starr-Edwards heart valve, the first commercially available artificial heart valve in the world. "By coupling the PERIMOUNT Magna valve's improved hemodynamic performance with the ThermaFix process, Edwards is providing patients with the confidence that they are getting the best technology there is to offer."
The PERIMOUNT Magna valve, an aortic replacement tissue heart valve constructed of bovine pericardium, is designed specifically to optimize patient blood flow and facilitates placement above the patient's native valve opening, which may allow surgeons to implant a valve that is larger than other conventional tissue valves. Surgeons generally prefer valves that can provide optimal blood flow for their patients, and Edwards' PERIMOUNT valve line has been shown to provide greater valve opening areas to facilitate that blood flow, according to an article published by Thomas Walther, M.D. and colleagues in the September, 2004 issue of Circulation.
"Edwards invests more resources in heart valve research and development than any other company, and the Magna valve with the ThermaFix process represents the latest demonstration of our commitment to the heart valve therapy field and our continued drive to innovate on patients' behalf," said Anita B. Bessler, Edwards' corporate vice president of Global Franchise Management. "Clinician acceptance of the PERIMOUNT Magna valve has been extremely favorable, and we expect the greater availability of this valve with the ThermaFix process in the U.S. will help reinforce the PERIMOUNT valve line's position as the world's leading tissue heart valve in the $950 million heart valve therapy market."
Edwards to Showcase its Leading Heart Valve and Cardiac Surgery Products
During the STS, Edwards will showcase its broad portfolio of heart valve therapy and cardiac surgery products, featuring a "Countdown to Innovation," at its exhibit, located at Booth #601 in the East Hall of the Tampa Convention Center. In addition to introducing the PERIMOUNT Magna valve with the ThermaFix process, Edwards will feature its Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix annuloplasty ring, designed for the unique requirements of ischemic mitral heart valve repair, and its Carpentier-Edwards BioPhysio aortic valve, a next-generation replacement heart valve currently in clinical trials, which has been designed to replicate the physiologic motion of a natural heart valve.
The company will also feature its Optiwave 980 cardiac laser ablation system, a device used to create lesions in cardiac tissue, an approach that is believed to block the conduction of errant electrical signals in the heart. Li Poa, M.D., chief of cardiac surgery at Enloe Medical Center in Chico, Calif., will be presenting his new, less-invasive cardiac ablation procedure that may reduce hospitalization duration and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Poa will present his data at the STS/AATS Tech-Con meeting on January 23, 2005.
About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is a leader in advanced cardiovascular disease treatments and the number-one heart valve company in the world. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards focuses on four main cardiovascular disease states: heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and congestive heart failure. The company's global brands, which are sold in approximately 100 countries, include Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Swan-Ganz and Fogarty. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com/.
Edwards Lifesciences, Edwards, Biophysio, Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix, IMR ETlogix, PERIMOUNT Magna, Magna, Optiwave 980 and ThermaFix are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT, Starr-Edwards and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This news release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those related to the launch of the PERIMOUNT Magna valve with the ThermaFix tissue process; the ability of the Magna valve with the ThermaFix process to become the future leader in the heart valve replacement market; and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
Edwards co-developed the ThermaFix process with biochemist Sophie Carpentier, Ph.D., and her husband Prof. Alain Carpentier, chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Hopital Europeen Georges Pompidou in Paris. Laboratory studies have demonstrated that, when compared to Edwards' current market-leading tissue treatment, the ThermaFix process significantly reduces leaflet calcification, which is one of the primary causes of tissue valve deterioration.
"Although pericardial valves have demonstrated decades of reliable performance, mitigating the calcification of a tissue valve's leaftlets has been a focus of research and development since their introduction," said Albert Starr, M.D., medical director of the Providence Heart and Vascular Institute in Oregon, and co-inventor of the Starr-Edwards heart valve, the first commercially available artificial heart valve in the world. "By coupling the PERIMOUNT Magna valve's improved hemodynamic performance with the ThermaFix process, Edwards is providing patients with the confidence that they are getting the best technology there is to offer."
The PERIMOUNT Magna valve, an aortic replacement tissue heart valve constructed of bovine pericardium, is designed specifically to optimize patient blood flow and facilitates placement above the patient's native valve opening, which may allow surgeons to implant a valve that is larger than other conventional tissue valves. Surgeons generally prefer valves that can provide optimal blood flow for their patients, and Edwards' PERIMOUNT valve line has been shown to provide greater valve opening areas to facilitate that blood flow, according to an article published by Thomas Walther, M.D. and colleagues in the September, 2004 issue of Circulation.
"Edwards invests more resources in heart valve research and development than any other company, and the Magna valve with the ThermaFix process represents the latest demonstration of our commitment to the heart valve therapy field and our continued drive to innovate on patients' behalf," said Anita B. Bessler, Edwards' corporate vice president of Global Franchise Management. "Clinician acceptance of the PERIMOUNT Magna valve has been extremely favorable, and we expect the greater availability of this valve with the ThermaFix process in the U.S. will help reinforce the PERIMOUNT valve line's position as the world's leading tissue heart valve in the $950 million heart valve therapy market."
Edwards to Showcase its Leading Heart Valve and Cardiac Surgery Products
During the STS, Edwards will showcase its broad portfolio of heart valve therapy and cardiac surgery products, featuring a "Countdown to Innovation," at its exhibit, located at Booth #601 in the East Hall of the Tampa Convention Center. In addition to introducing the PERIMOUNT Magna valve with the ThermaFix process, Edwards will feature its Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix annuloplasty ring, designed for the unique requirements of ischemic mitral heart valve repair, and its Carpentier-Edwards BioPhysio aortic valve, a next-generation replacement heart valve currently in clinical trials, which has been designed to replicate the physiologic motion of a natural heart valve.
The company will also feature its Optiwave 980 cardiac laser ablation system, a device used to create lesions in cardiac tissue, an approach that is believed to block the conduction of errant electrical signals in the heart. Li Poa, M.D., chief of cardiac surgery at Enloe Medical Center in Chico, Calif., will be presenting his new, less-invasive cardiac ablation procedure that may reduce hospitalization duration and improve patient outcomes. Dr. Poa will present his data at the STS/AATS Tech-Con meeting on January 23, 2005.
About Edwards Lifesciences
Edwards Lifesciences is a leader in advanced cardiovascular disease treatments and the number-one heart valve company in the world. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Edwards focuses on four main cardiovascular disease states: heart valve disease, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and congestive heart failure. The company's global brands, which are sold in approximately 100 countries, include Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Swan-Ganz and Fogarty. Additional company information can be found at http://www.edwards.com/.
Edwards Lifesciences, Edwards, Biophysio, Carpentier-McCarthy-Adams IMR ETlogix, IMR ETlogix, PERIMOUNT Magna, Magna, Optiwave 980 and ThermaFix are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. Carpentier-Edwards, Cosgrove-Edwards, Fogarty, PERIMOUNT, Starr-Edwards and Swan-Ganz are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation and are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
This news release includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those related to the launch of the PERIMOUNT Magna valve with the ThermaFix tissue process; the ability of the Magna valve with the ThermaFix process to become the future leader in the heart valve replacement market; and other risks detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by management of the company and are believed to be reasonable, though are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Actual results or experience could differ materially from the forward-looking statements.
Edwards Lifesciences Corporation
© 2005 PR Newswire
