Novel System Significantly Increases Cardiac Performance

An innovative percutaneous system delivers continuous aortic flow augmentation in patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (HF).

The Cancion system is a unique HF treatment that makes use of a technology called continuous aortic flow augmentation (CAFA) to improve symptoms of HF and change the underlying course of the disease for patients who respond inadequately to medical therapy. The closed-loop system utilizes a catheter-based percutaneous approach to gain bi-femoral peripheral vascular access using a standard interventional technique. When activated, the Cancion system's pump draws blood from the patient's iliac artery into a small external pump and directs it through an outflow catheter positioned in the descending aorta, where blood is re-introduced for continuous, non-pulsatile, aortic blood flow augmentation throughout the cardiac cycle. After treatment, the pump is turned off and catheters are removed, leaving no implant in the patient. Significant improvements in hemodynamics and beneficial trends in renal function in have been shown in patients treated with the system. Various physiological benefits, including positive changes in vascular, renal, and cardiac indicators, are generally realized within 24 hours of treatment initiation. The Cancion system is a product of Orqis Medical (Schaffhausen, Switzerland), and it has received the European Community CE marking of approval.

"Orqis' unique aortic flow therapy bridges the gap between medical management and more invasive procedures without ever touching the heart,” said Mr. Ken Charhut, President and CEO of Orqis Medical.

Diminished aortic flow may induce adverse downstream vascular and renal signals. Investigations in a HF animal model have shown CAFA achieves hemodynamic improvement and ventricular unloading, with a concomitant reduction in serum creatinine. CAFA represents a promising, novel mode of treatment for patients who are inadequately responsive to medical therapy.


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