Shanghai, China, December 15, 2020 —
On December 10, 2020, the first clinical operation using the left atrial appendage occluder (LAAC) originally developed by Shanghai Microport 佐心 (Zuoxin) Co., Ltd. (佐心 ™ Medical), a subsidiary of Shanghai MicroPort Medical (Group) Co., Ltd. (“MicroPort®”), was completed at Shanghai Chest Hospital (SCH). The procedure was led by Director Ben He and Deputy Director Lixiang Jiang from Shanghai Chest Hospital and was streamed online.
After the surgery, Director He of SCH spoke highly of the left atrial appendage occluder by 佐心 ™ Medical. He said, “It was a very good experience and the procedure went smoothly. Given the features of the device, we adopted a push-forward release in the procedure, which was more convenient and safer.”
The Left Atrial Appendage Closure System by 佐心 ™ Medical is the only semi-closed plug occluder which can push forward during releasing, made in China. It not only solves a clinical pain point of conventional plug occluders that require placing the sheath deep into the atrial appendage, but also significantly enhances the safety and operability of procedures. Meanwhile, the implant is able to conform the left atrial appendage perfectly and achieve a better sealing, enabling faster endothelialization.
Director Chu of Ningbo First Hospital said, “佐心 ™ Medical’s LAAC combines all the merits of closed and open occluders to reduce surgical risks associated with conditional plug occluders. It has a high safety profile, excellent compliance, and allows for precise and convenient operation.”
Patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) are prone to thrombosis in their left atrial appendage (LAA). Research data published in EuroIntervention in 2019 shows that 100% of thrombosis in patients with NVAF originates from the LAA. The traditional treatment by taking oral anticoagulation is associated with an increased risk of bleeding and low patient compliance. In contrast, by using an LAA occluder and guided by ultrasound and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), the LAAC procedure can close the LAA of patients with NAVF, thus more easily and effectively preventing thrombus from escaping from the left auricle and embolizing the cerebral vessels that could cause an ischemic stroke.
As part of Microport®’s presence in the field of structural heart disease interventions, 佐心 ™ Medical has always been committed to helping patients with atrial fibrillation prevent the risk of stroke. Junfei Li, Executive Director of 佐心 ™ Medical said, “Developed over the years by the 佐心 ™ Medical team and with 39 domestic and international patents applications, this LAA occluder is an innovative device with extraordinary performance. Its unique designs provide doctors with a better operating experience and better safety. The first clinical implantation is an important milestone for us, and we look forward to more clinical data in the future so that we can benefit patients soon."
About Shanghai Microport 佐心 (Zuoxin) Co., Ltd. (佐心 ™ Medical)
佐心 ™ Medical continues to innovate and provide safe, effective and inclusive solutions to patients. The 佐心 ™ Medical Left Atrial Appendage Occluder is a key product in Microport®’s portfolio in the field of structural heart disease and it is the only semi-enclosed plug occluder that can push forward during release made in China, which significantly enhances the safety and operability of procedures. When it is comercialized in China, it will undoubtedly support better clinical applications and benefit more patients with atrial fibrillation.
About Shanghai Chest Hospital
Shanghai Chest Hospital (also known as Affiliated Chest Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University), founded in 1957, is China’s first tertiary specialized hospital that integrates medical treatment, academic teaching, and scientific research. It specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of heart, lung, esophagus, trachea and mediastinal diseases, and is designated by the Ministry of Health as a national base for advanced training in cardiothoracic surgery.
About Ben He, Director of the Cardiac Center and of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine
Ben He, Director of the Cardiac Center and Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, specializes in complex coronary interventions as well as interventions for structural heart disease. He is the first LAAC instructor in Shanghai by global standards and has excellent expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of various critical and challenging cardiovascular cases. He is currently a member of the National Standing Committee of the Cardiovascular Disease Branch of the Chinese Medical Association and the National Standing Committee of the Chinese Association of Cardiology. He also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Cardiovascular Society, Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, and Fellow of the European Society of Cardiology.