Moscow, Russia, 04 January 2024 — On December 18, 2023, MicroPort® CardioFlow completed the first implantation of its VitaFlow Liberty® Transcatheter Aortic Valve and Retrievable Delivery System (VitaFlow Liberty®) in Russia. This marked the completion of a highly complex Type 0 bicuspid aortic valve implantation with an extremely horizontally positioned heart via Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI). Led by Professor Imaev Timur of the Russian National Medical Research Center for Cardiovascular Surgery, with guidance from experts, the team achieved precise delivery and successful release of the valve without the need for post-dilation. Post-operative echocardiography showed good valve shape and position, with no paravalvular leakage or conduction abnormalities, confirming the success of the procedure.
The patient, 65 years old, had a preoperative CT scan showing a Type 0 bicuspid aortic valve with severe stenosis, thickened leaflets, a valve annulus perimeter of 78.4 mm, a valve annulus horizontal angle of 80°, and an extremely horizontally positioned heart. After thorough examination and multidisciplinary assessment, the surgical team (following in-depth communication with the patient and family) decided to use the VitaFlow Liberty® for TAVI treatment.
Given the patient's condition, the procedure required high demands on guidewire shaping and operational techniques. During the procedure, the surgical team switched to a shaped guidewire and then introduced a 20mm balloon for pre-dilation. The valve selection was determined after angiographic imaging during balloon pre-dilation, ultimately choosing the 24mm VitaFlow Liberty® for high-position release. When the valve was released to 2/3 of its working position, angiography showed ideal depth of the valve implantation, and the surgeon proceeded to fully release it. Angiography demonstrated that the valve was anchored 2mm below the annulus, with good valve shape and position, with no paravalvular leakage, an unaffected mitral valve, and no conduction abnormalities.
Professor Imaev Timur stated that the success of this surgery was not only due to the surgical team's exceptional medical skills and seamless collaboration but also benefited from the groundbreaking upgrades in the VitaFlow Liberty®'s electrically retrievable delivery system. These upgrades include a unique dual-wire spiral design and reinforced inner and outer tubes, which achieved a 1:1 response throughout the valve release process, ensuring stable release without displacement and precise anchoring at the optimal implantation depth.
In October 2023, VitaFlow Liberty® obtained approval in Russia. This successful implantation in Russia marks a new phase in the commercialization process of VitaFlow Liberty®.
About MicroPort® CardioFlow
Founded in 2015, MicroPort® CardioFlow (MicroPort® CardioFlow Medtech Corporation; HKEX: 02160) is a leading medical device company focusing on research, development and commercialization of innovative transcatheter and surgical solutions for valvular heart disease.
MicroPort® CardioFlow's self-developed transcatheter aortic valve implantation series products have successfully landed more than 600 core hospitals worldwide. Furthermore, MicroPort® CardioFlow has established a strategic Research and Development pipeline covering transcatheter aortic valve treatment products (iterative products), left atrial appendage closure systems (iterative products), transcatheter mitral valve treatment products, transcatheter tricuspid valve treatment products, and surgical accessories through in-house development and collaboration with global partners. MicroPort® CardioFlow strives to provide total solutions for structural heart diseases, dedicated to providing high quality therapeutic solutions to patients and physicians across the globe.
More information is available at www.en.cardioflowmedtech.com.