Implant Device to Reshape Damaged Hearts

Up to 10 patients in a U.S. phase I trial will receive an implantable device designed for heart failure patients to change the size and shape of the left ventricle and improve heart function by reducing cardiac wall stress. The trial is being conducted by the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (OH, USA) and the University of Michigan Health System (Ann Arbor, USA).

In the procedure, three sets of two specially designed pads that rest on the outside of the heart, connected by a high-strength tension member, are placed down the length of the left ventricle. These are used to draw the walls of the heart closer together, reshaping the heart and reducing its size by a prescribed amount. The implantable device, called Myosplint, was developed by Myocor, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN, USA).

A European safety study of the Myosplint began earlier this year, with a total of 14 human implants completed to date. So far, this trial has shown encouraging results in patients with late-stage heart failure.

"The initiation of the U.S. study is an important step toward the realization of our goal to provide effective new therapies to help the large and growing number of late-stage heart failure patients through shape-change therapy,” said Dr. Cyril J. Schweich, Jr., founder, president, and CEO of Myocor.




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