Medtronic wins approval for new CoreValve delivery method

Medtronic has been granted European regulatory approval for a new delivery method for its CoreValve system, which is used in transcatheter aortic valve implantation procedures.

The medical technology company has received CE Mark accreditation for a subclavian approach for the device, allowing it to be implanted via an artery located beneath the collar bone.

This will open up the treatment option to thousands of European patients who are unable to receive transcatheter implantation because their femoral arteries are too narrow, either naturally or due to disease.

It means that more aortic stenosis sufferers will be able to utilise CoreValve as a safer non-surgical aortic valve replacement option.

Dr Neil Moat, consultant cardiac surgeon at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, said: "Given the sheer number of patients with severe aortic stenosis along with the aging population, the need for new approaches to valve replacement continues to increase."

Earlier this month, Medtronic published data which demonstrated the cost-effectiveness benefits provided by cardiac resynchronisation therapy in the treatment of mildly symptomatic heart failure patients.