New Pre-Shaped Guidewire To Ease Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation Procedures

Boston Scientific has recently announced Safari�, a pre-shaped guidewire that is used during implantations of cardiac devices. It facilitates the introduction and placement of interventional devices within the heart, including the ones used with Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation or replacement procedures (TAVI/R). The device provides excellent shape retention for interventional devices used within the heart.

"Having a pre-shaped, universal TAVR guidewire helps physicians deliver the replacement valve with reliability and consistency," said Wesley Pederson, director of Valve and Structural Heart Disease at the Minneapolis Heart Institute.

Before the introduction of Safari's pre-shaped guidewire, physicians could only use peripheral intervention guidewires which had to be shaped by them manually for TAVI/R procedures.

The Safari2 is offering the wide choices of guidewires with three curve sizes, including an extra small curve designed for procedures involving patients with smaller ventricles. "This is a wonderful development to have a smaller curve size so that we can offer this less invasive treatment option to a broader range of patients because valvular disease can have a devastating impact on patient survival and quality of life," said Pederson.

The company has received CE Mark and FDA clearance for the Safari2� Pre-Shaped Guidewire.

Source: Medindia