+ Technology/Innovation
Nicholas Gueguen | Aug 24, 2017

Abbott beginning study of clip to treat tricuspid heart valve leakage

Abbott is launching clinical testing of a transcatheter clip system that may be able to fix leaking in the right atrioventricular valve of the heart, a condition known as tricuspid regurgitation.

Abbott said in a release that it entered its first participant into the study aimed at helping medical experts determine how well the minimally invasive transcatheter clip would work and how secure it would be to use in patients with moderate to severe leaking in the atrioventricular valve on the heart's right half.

The clip system expands on Abbott's MitraClip, which is used for treating mitral regurgitation, which affects the left half of the heart.

Tricuspid regurgitation involves the valve that sits in the area that separates the two chambers of the heart  and does not closing like it should. Because it does not close like it should, blood can flow opposite the way it should and inside the right atrium. If the condition is not addressed, it could lead to atrial fibrillation, heart failure and death.

Minneapolis Heart Institute and Abbott Northwestern Hospital cardiologist . Paul Sorajja entered the testing's first participant at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minnesota.

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