Device maker St. Jude Medical Inc. has received European approval to begin selling its Trifecta valve, which is designed to replace a patient’s damaged aortic valve.
The Trifecta gets its name from three “leaflets” made from heart tissue that are attached to the exterior of the valve’s stent, a flexible mesh tube made of titanium that’s used to prop open blood vessels, according to a statement from the company. The aortic valve controls blood flow from the heart to the rest of the body.
The valve’s stent and leaflets are covered with heart tissue to allow tissue-to-tissue contact when the leaflets open and close, which reduces the amount of wear and deterioration.
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St. Jude said the Trifecta’s launch further expands its portfolio of valves available to European patients.
“The Trifecta valve marks an important milestone for St. Jude Medical, and it reflects our commitment to developing products which improve physician control, reduce patient risk and improve patient outcomes,” said Frank Callaghan, president of St. Jude’s cardiovascular division.