We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Atrial Flow Regulator Helps Manage Heart Failure

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 16 Sep 2019
Print article
Image: A novel blood flow regulator decompresses the heart (Photo courtesy of Occlutech).
Image: A novel blood flow regulator decompresses the heart (Photo courtesy of Occlutech).
A next generation implantable shunt device treats heart failure (HF) or pulmonary hypertension (PH) symptoms by decompressing abnormal intra-atrial pressure.

The Occlutech (Schaffhausen, Switzerland) atrial flow regulator (AFR) HF Device is a double-disc shaped shunt placed in the septum between the left and right atriums, via a minimally invasive balloon atrial septostomy (BAS) procedure, in order to create a restrictive atrial septal opening. Made of nickel-titanium (Nitinol), the AFR is intended to maintain a permanent interatrial fenestration of varying diameters (6-10 mm) secured by two discs. Depending on the indication (HF or PH), the shunt allows for the controlled flow of blood between the atria of the heart.

By maintaining the predetermined diameter shunt open in the intra-atrial septum, cardiac pressure is substantially reduced, resulting in a decompression of the heart chambers which leads to reduced HF and PH symptoms, and as a result to an improved exercise tolerance and to better quality of life (QOL). The AFR HF Device is manufactured in different sizes, allowing for a unique, patient-oriented, and individualized treatment. The Occlutech AFR Device has received the European Union CE mark of approval.

“With CE mark approval of the Occlutech AFR we are taking another big step towards becoming a multi-franchise congenital and structural heart disease therapy provider,” said Sabine Bois, Co-CEO of Occlutech. “The Occlutech AFR with its efficacy, versatility, convenience, and safety has true potential to revolutionize the way heart failure patients are treated.”

Unlike systemic blood pressure, pulmonary blood pressure reflects the pressure the heart exerts to pump blood from the right ventricle, which receives the oxygen-depleted blood, into the pulmonary arteries, and on to the left atrium. Normal pulmonary artery pressure is 8-20 mm Hg at rest (much lower than systemic blood pressure); if the pressure in the pulmonary artery is greater than 25 mm Hg at rest or 30 mmHg during physical activity, it is abnormally high and is called PH.

Related Links:
Occlutech

Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Gold Member
Solid State Kv/Dose Multi-Sensor
AGMS-DM+
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
Multipurpose Gynecological Table
Dixion Grace 8400

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.