Thoratec HeartMate Percutaneous Heart Pump Used For Angioplasty Approved in Europe

Thoratec receives the European CE Mark approval to introduce its HeartMate PHP (Percutaneous Heart Pump). It is a hemodynamic support system during high-risk percutaneous coronary interventions.

The device is able to move up to five liters of blood per minute powered by a tiny motor spinning at about 20,000 RPMs. It is inserted percutaneously through the femoral artery using a 14 French sheath.

Once delivered into the aortic valve, it expands to 24 French, eventually delivering near-normal blood flow through the vessel.

The HeartMate PHP was designed to impart low shear stress to the blood flowing through the pump, helping to reduce the chance of clot formation and the potential for a stroke.

"PHP is an entirely new opportunity for Thoratec. Although the current catheter pump market outside the U.S. is relatively small, we look forward to gaining valuable clinical and commercial experience through a targeted European launch of HeartMate PHP in the coming months," said D. Keith Grossman, President and Chief Executive Officer.

Source: Medindia

Coronary Balloon Angioplasty

Coronary balloon angioplasty is an interventional procedure wherein blood flow is restored in a blocked blood artery supplying the heart.

New Approach: Aortic Valve Implantation Combined With Coronary Artery Stenting

Aortic stenosis is a condition where the valve at the junction of the left ventricle and the aorta, the largest blood vessel of the body, is narrowed.

Drug-Eluting Stents

Drug-eluting stents are scaffolds containing drug on their surface placed in the coronary arteries.

Aortic Valve Stenosis

Aortic valve Stenosis is an abnormal narrowing of the c valve. Symptoms include angina, and that of heart failure. Aortic valve replacement is effective therapy.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a radiological procedure for both diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. It involves the insertion of a long thin flexible tube called catheter a vein or an artery to the heart.

Congestive Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a condition in which the heart fails to work adequately as a pump that can deliver oxygen rich blood to the body.

Heart Attack

Heart attack is the death of the heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Other names for heart attack include acute myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and coronary occlusion.