Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is among the fastest-growing segments in the cardiovascular industry. The global TAVR market is expected to rapidly grow by a compound annual growth rate of 18.30 percent during 2017-2020. This will be primarily driven by an increase in product approvals, an expansion of patient populations, and rapid adoption of minimally invasive techniques.

Early TAVR procedures were limited to patients that were either inoperable or high risk for undergoing surgery. Nonetheless, the scope of TAVR procedures has significantly expanded with the increase in the intermediate and low-risk patient population. This significant increase in patients calls for ensuring product and procedural reliability for the medical staff using the TAVR device. Furthermore, as costs related to overall healthcare grows, hospital administrations compare the long-term costs of TAVR and feel it is the preferred treatment strategy for intermediate-risk patients. As such, there is a need for systems to allow valves to be placed with consistent results, which can be easily adopted by large and small healthcare institutions.


The HLT Meridian TAVR Valve System is for Investigational use only

With its innovative technologies and procedural techniques in advancing TAVR, HLT, Inc. has positioned itself to help clients achieve better and more predictable patient outcomes that meet not only today’s needs, but the patient needs into the future. HLT is a technology and clinical-stage medical device firm and a subsidiary of the Bracco Group. It is dedicated to advancing heart valve disease therapy by developing the next-generation Meridian® Valve Platform. “We have designed a platform that is intended to improve hemodynamics, durability, and ease of use to ensure optimal performance and improve the quality of life for TAVR patients,” states David R Elizondo, SVP and General Manager at HLT.

According to Elizondo, the valve and the delivery system plays a crucial role in offering predictable results to treat patients better. The HLT® Meridian® TAVR Valve System is designed for excellent hemodynamics, durability, repositionability, and complete retrievability after assessing the final position and hemodynamics. The valve has a unique, isolated, flexible valve frame, which is designed to ensure its optimal functionality. This tissue wire form is designed to easily flex with every heartbeat to provide excellent blood flow, even in small patient annuli.