J-Valve Transfemoral Pivotal Study

This is a prospective, single arm, multi-center, interventional pivotal study that will enroll up to 194 subjects in up to 35 investigational sites, predominantly in the United States and up to 7 in Canada, Europe, and Japan. Of the 194 subjects, the CMR imaging sub-study will include up to 75 subjects with severe AR already confirmed by TTE. Additionally, up to 40 roll-in subjects may be treated to enable clinical experience and exposure to the device while allowing a reasonable learning curve. The subjects will then be followed 5-years post-procedure of the J-Valve TF System.

Inclusion criteria

• Symptomatic according to New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class (FC) II or higher
• Severe AR, defined as follows, as assessed by Imaging Core Laboratory:

A. Severe AR by Transthoracic Echocardiography (TTE) (grade 3 or 4)

B. OR, if indeterminate AR, by TTE, ANY ONE of the following:

i. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR)-derived aortic regurgitant fraction (RF) ≥43% ii. CMR-derived RF ≥33% + left ventricular dilation (left ventricular end diastolic volume index [LVEDVi]) >105 mL/m^2 for men or LVEDVi >96 mL/m^2 for women) iii. CMR-derived RF ≥33% + LV ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤55% or left ventricular end systolic volume index (LVESVi) ≥43mL/m^2; iv. Severe AR by Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE) (grade 3 or 4)

• High risk for surgery as judged by a multi-disciplinary heart team
• Suitable anatomy to accommodate the insertion, delivery, and deployment of the study devices (see anatomic exclusions below)
• Written informed consent and agreement to comply with all required post-procedure follow-up visits at investigational site.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous prosthetic aortic valve (bioprosthesis or mechanical) implant
• Aortic valve stenosis > moderate*
• Severe mitral valve or tricuspid valve regurgitation*
• Severe mitral valve or tricuspid valve stenosis*
• Active infection, including infective endocarditis
• Cardiac imaging evidence of cardiac mass, thrombus or vegetation
• Inability to tolerate or a condition precluding treatment with antithrombotic (antiplatelet, anticoagulant) therapy
• Renal insufficiency (eGFR <30 mL/min/1.73m^2) or end stage renal disease requiring chronic dialysis
• Liver disease (cirrhosis of the liver [Child-Pugh Class B or C])
• Blood dyscrasias as defined: leukopenia (WBC <3000 cells/mcL), thrombocytopenia (platelet count <50,000 cells/mcL), anemia (hemoglobin <9 g/dL), history of bleeding diathesis coagulopathy, or hypercoagulable state (unless therapeutically stable)
• Known hypersensitivity or contraindication to aspirin, heparin, bivalirudin, clopidogrel, Nitinol (Nickel, Titanium) or sensitivity to contrast media, which cannot be adequately premedicated
• Left ventricular dysfunction with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <25% as measured by resting echocardiogram (or by CMR, when performed)*
• Clinically significant untreated coronary artery disease requiring revascularization or anticipated coronary revascularization procedure within 12-months post index procedure
• Acute myocardial infarction within 30 days prior to index procedure
• PCI within 30 days prior to index procedure
• Carotid intervention within 6 weeks prior to index procedure or carotid artery disease requiring intervention
• Previous, or planned, other surgical or interventional procedures within 30 days before, during, or within 30 days after the index procedure
• Uncontrolled atrial fibrillation
• Severe right ventricular (RV) dysfunction*
• Pulmonary hypertension (systolic PA pressure >70mmHg or systolic PA pressure ≥2/3 of systemic systolic BP)
• Severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) requiring chronic oral steroids or requiring continuous home O2
• Stroke (CVA), transient ischemic attack (TIA) or neurological signs and symptoms attributed to carotid or vertebrobasilar disease within 90 days prior to index procedure
• Cardiogenic shock defined as systolic blood pressure <90 mmHg in addition to signs of tissue hypoperfusion or the need for vasopressors and/or mechanical hemodynamic support to maintain systolic blood pressure ≥90mmHg
• Patient requires mechanical circulatory support within 30 days prior to index procedure
• Estimated life expectancy of less than 24 months due to associated non-cardiac co-morbid conditions
• Pregnancy or intent to become pregnant prior to completion of all protocol follow-up requirements
• Participation in another investigational study that has not reached its primary endpoint
• Considered to be part of a vulnerable population

• As assessed by Imaging Core Laboratory

Anatomic Exclusions:

• Ascending Aortic diameter >5 cm*
• Aortic Annulus Perimeter <57 mm or >104 mm*
• Inappropriate anatomy for femoral introduction and delivery of the study system
• Left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) >75 mm*
• Congenital aortic valve disease including Unicuspid, Bicuspid, or Quadricuspid aortic valve anatomy*
• Congenital univentricle or other condition that, in the opinion of the investigator and/or consulting physician, may constitute an unwarranted surgical risk
• Excessive aortic valve prolapse that would preclude proper seating of the implant in the aortic annulus
• Abdominal/thoracic aortic aneurysm ≥5.0 cm*
• Aorto-iliac disease requiring intervention to facilitate delivery of access sheath
• Excessive tortuosity of delivery system pathway, defined as severe tortuosity of multiple vessels including iliofemoral, thoracoabdominal aorta, aortic arch, or LV-aortic root angle >80⁰
• Non-native anatomy in aortic zones 0A & 0B (aortic valve annulus to the distal margin of the right pulmonary artery); 0C (to innominate) only if deemed unfavorable by the Study Screening Committee

• As assessed by Imaging Core Laboratory