AHEAD: European Feasibility Study of the Cardiovalve Transfemoral Mitral Valve System

The Cardiovalve offers a mitral replacement valve delivered through a transfemoral access and transseptal approach, and is intended to reduce mortality and adverse event rates in selected patients for whom surgical options are not feasible.

Innovation: A truly trans femoral, trans venous delivery of the prosthetic mitral valve which minimizes procedural risk. The Cardiovalve Implant features a dual nitinol frame for robust radial strength with decoupling of the atrial flange and ventricular portion which contains 24 grasping legs designed for atraumatic anchoring of the device to the native mitral annulus. Valve leaflets are made of bovine pericardium. The Cardiovalve implant has a very low left ventricle (LV) protrusion footprint thus reducing the risk of LV outflow tract obstruction and/or interference with the LV. The Cardiovalve delivery system (DS) is designed for transfemoral delivery of the Implant with transseptal access to the left atrium. The catheter assembly is used to center the implant relative to the native mitral valve plane and align it with the left ventricual apex-to-base axis. After valve implantation, the delivery system is withdrawn.

General Inclusion Criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• NYHA functional II, III or ambulatory IV
• Severe mitral regurgitation (MR grade 3-4+)
• Subject is on optimal guideline-directed medical therapy for heart failure for at least 30 days or CRT if indicated.
• Elevated risk for conventional open mitral valve repair or replacement surgery in the consideration of the site Heart Team (including a cardiac surgeon, a cardiologist and imaging specialist as a minimum) based on STS/Euro Score II (per MVARC Part 1), frailty and co-morbidities.
• Able to undergo Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE).
• Subject understands the study requirements and the treatment procedures and provides written Informed Consent before any study-specific tests or procedures are performed.
• The subject commits to return for the scheduled post-operative follow-up visits at the hospital.

Anatomical Inclusion Criteria

• Suitable for femoral access procedure and trans septal catheterization
• Native mitral valve geometry and size and LV outflow tract characteristics compatible with the Cardiovalve (as assessed by the independent Screening Committee)

Cardiovascular Exclusion Criteria

• Prior stroke or TIA within 3 months or Modified Rankin Scale ≥4 disability
• Acute myocardial infarction within the previous 30 days
• Any prior heart valve surgery or transcatheter mitral intervention
• Any percutaneous cardiovascular intervention, cardiovascular surgery, or carotid surgery within 30 days
• Rheumatic heart disease or endocarditis within the previous 3 months
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, restrictive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, or any other structural heart disease causing heart failure other than dilated cardiomyopathy of either ischemic or non-ischemic etiology
• Existence of inferior vena cava filter or atrial septal device (contraindicating femoral access and transseptal catheterization)
• Untreated clinically significant coronary artery disease requiring revascularization
• Tricuspid valve disease requiring surgery or severe tricuspid regurgitation
• Aortic or pulmonic valve disease requiring surgery
• CRT/ICD implant within 30 days

Anatomical Exclusion Criteria (assessed by pre-procedural imaging)

• Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) <30%
• LV end diastolic diameter > 70mm
• Significant abnormalities of the mitral valve and sub-valvular apparatus.
• Severe mitral annular or leaflets calcification
• Left atrial or LV thrombus or vegetation
• Severe right ventricular dysfunction
• Severe tricuspid or aortic valve disease

General Exclusion Criteria

• Subject who is currently participating in an investigational study, other than this study
• Hemodynamic instability defined as systolic pressure < 90mmHg or the need for inotropic support or intra-aortic balloon pump or other hemodynamic support device, or any mechanical heart assistance
• Subject has contrast agent hypersensitivity that cannot be adequately pre-medicated, has an allergy to Nitinol alloys (nickel and titanium), or has intolerance to antiplatelet, anticoagulant, or thrombolytic medications
• Bleeding diathesis or hypercoagulable state
• Active peptic ulcer or active gastrointestinal bleeding
• Pulmonary artery systolic pressure >70 mmHg
• Patients with renal insufficiency (creatinine > 2.5 mg/dL)
• Need for emergent or urgent surgery for any reason or any planned cardiac Surgery within the next 12 months
• Subject with hepatic insufficiency
• Subject has a co-morbid illness that may result in a life expectancy of less than one year
• Active infection that requires antibiotic therapy
• Subject is pregnant, breastfeeding or intend to become pregnant within one year