MENLO PARK, Calif., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The upcoming Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference, to take place in San Francisco from September 21-25, will serve as a backdrop for the presentation of EVEREST registry clinical results of the MitraClip(R) therapy for patients with mitral regurgitation (MR). MR is the most common type of heart valve insufficiency in the United States and Europe, and affects millions of people worldwide. The MitraClip(R) therapy provides a non-surgical treatment option for patients suffering from the effects of functional or degenerative MR.
Among oral presentations at TCT 2009, EVEREST investigators as well as independent physicians will report data related to the clinical impact of reduction of MR and the histopathology of the MitraClip(R) device collected as part of the EVEREST registry studies. The data are from the preliminary cohort of the first 107 patients as well as from patients enrolled in the high risk registry. Other presentations at TCT 2009 will discuss the EVEREST study design, procedure simulation and clinical outcomes of patients treated in Europe following CE Mark.
Highlights of the data to be presented at TCT 2009 include:
Tuesday, September 22
Thursday, September 24
Evalve’s European Commercial Pace Continues to Grow
More than 200 patients have been treated with the MitraClip(R) system in Europe. The MitraClip(R) system is the only medical device commercially available in Europe to provide a non-surgical treatment option for patients suffering from the effects of functional or degenerative MR. As of today patients have been treated with the MitraClip(R) system at 19 institutions throughout Europe.
Evalve initiated commercial sales of the MitraClip(R) system in Europe under the CE Mark in September 2008. The company is employing a direct sales strategy and is taking a disciplined and measured approach to the initial commercial roll out. The company has worked closely with hospitals to deliver high quality training programs to cardiologists and cardiac surgeons in preparation for the first series of implants.
Additional U.S. Clinical Trial Milestone Reached
Evalve also announced today that the last U.S. patient treated in the EVEREST II randomized study has reached the required 12-month follow up. Clinical results from the study are not yet available and will be released in 2010.
Meanwhile, enrollment in REALISM, the continued access registry, continues to be strong with 120 patients treated as of September 1st 2009.
“The science that will be presented at this year’s TCT conference contributes significantly to the broad body of clinical data shedding light onto the importance of breakthrough structural heart disease therapies like the MitraClip(R) system,” said Ferolyn Powell, president and chief executive officer of Evalve. “The Clinical results to date underscore the acute clinical benefit for patients, demonstrate the potential for reduced hospital stays and improved quality-of-life for patients, and the potential for delivering significant health economic benefit in medical care systems around the world. Additionally, reaching important milestones such as treating 200 patients in Europe and our success with the REALISM registry highlights the belief physicians have in the value of this new therapy for their patients whether their specialty is cardiology or cardiothoracic surgery.”
About the MitraClip(R) Procedure
Mitral repair with Evalve’s MitraClip(R) device is performed by physicians in the catheterization laboratory. The heart beats normally during the procedure, and therefore does not require a heart-lung bypass machine. In addition to improving blood flow through the heart, the procedure may also relieve symptoms such as fatigue and shortness of breath that often affect patients with significant MR. After treatment, patients generally recover quickly. The MitraClip(R) device may improve quality of life and may help MR patients avoid or delay surgery, having preserved surgical options (valve repair or replacement) should surgery become necessary.
About Evalve, Inc.
Cofounded in 1999 by The Foundry and Dr. Fred St. Goar, Evalve, Inc., headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., and has developed a proprietary system which enables percutaneous repair of cardiac valves. The company’s initial products are intended to reduce the risks, trauma and costs associated with current open, arrested heart surgical options. For more information about Evalve, Inc., and for an animated explanation of the procedure using the MitraClip(R) device, visit www.evalveinc.com. The MitraClip(R) system is currently undergoing clinical evaluation in the United States and Canada. Enrollment is ongoing in the REALISM study in the US, which allows EVEREST investigators and their patients continued access to the MitraClip(R) therapy during the PMA phase. The MitraClip(R) system is commercially distributed in Europe.
MitraClip(R) and Evalve are registered trademarks of Evalve, Inc.
SOURCE Evalve, Inc.
CONTACT: Amy Hytowitz of Edelman, +1-323-202-1028,
amy.hytowitz@edelman.com, for Evalve, Inc.
Web site: http://www.evalveinc.com/
