We are continuing development of transcatheter mitral cerclage annuloplasty, a novel technique which establishes circumferential tension around the mitral valve annulus by exploiting both natural (coronary venous) and un-natural (intramyocardial septal) trajectories. We have established proof-of-principal in a porcine model of ischemic cardiomyopathy that cerclage annuloplasty reduces secondary (functional) mitral valve regurgitation. While we refine devices, we are working to issue new contracts to small businesses to fund collaborative translation of this novel technique into patients. We are analyzing the results of a first-in-human test performed by our laboratory alumnus and close collaborator in Pusan Korea. We have conceived a wholly new approach to treat tricuspid valve regurgitation called transauricular intrapericardial tricuspid annuloplasty (TRAIPTA). We have demonstrated the success of TRAIPTA to reduce functional tricuspid regurgitation in a new animal model. We recently entered into a Collaborative Research and Development Agreement with a large catheter company to develop this technique for testing in patients. Work continues apace. We have developed a new technique to introduce large implants into the aorta for transcatheter aortic valve replacement and related procedures, by crossing from the inferior vena cava into the abdominal aorta. This challenges the long-held paradigm that the aortic wall must remain inviolate during non-surgical procedures. The technique has proven lifesaving in over three dozen patients. We are sponsoring a multicenter evaluation of the technique while we develop purpose-built devices to close the access port. We have been educating physicians and their teams in this technique on three continents, where it has been applied successfully in 240 patients to date. We are analyzing the results of a multicenter test that we conducted of the safety and efficacy of this technique throughout the USA. In addition to the broader application of transcaval access for transcatheter aortic valve replacement in patients, we have helped collaborators apply this technique for transcaval thoracic aortic endovascular aneurysm repair in patients. We have developed and tested a completely new approach to prevent a life-threatening complication of the transcatheter mitral valve implantation. In as many as a third of patients, the transcatheter mitral valve forces the natural mitral leaflet to block blood as it leaves the heart, a condition called left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We developed a technique called LAMPOON to split the native anterior mitral leaflet and showed how it works in animals. It has been successfully applied in 7 patients so far.
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