October 6, 2016 — Xeltis announced this week that patients implanted with its bioabsorbable cardiovascular conduit showed positive functionality results two years after surgery. The data have been presented at the 30th European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) annual scientific meeting, Oct. 1-5 in Barcelona, Spain.
“The two-year data for the Xeltis devices are very impressive,” said Thierry Carrel, M.D., professor of surgery at the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Bern (Switzerland). “Ultrasound and MRI [magnetic resonance imaging] examinations have demonstrated anatomical and functional stability in all patients after two years, when Xeltis’ implant will have been gradually absorbed in the body and functionality replaced by components of native tissue formed within and around the implant.”
Xeltis’ feasibility clinical trial was conducted in five patients, aged 4 to 12 years at time of surgery, with only one functioning ventricle. According to the study conclusion, Xeltis’ bioabsorbable technology has the potential to improve cardiac and vascular surgical procedures by reducing implant-related complications.
In another session at EACTS, Gerardus Bennink, M.D., head and chief Pediatric Cardio-Thoracic Congenital Surgery, Heart Center of the University of Cologne (Germany) presented positive one-year in vivo preclinical data of Xeltis’ bioabsorbable pulmonary heart valve. The study results confirmed the safety and functionality of Xeltis’ valve.
Endogenous Tissue Restoration (ETR) is a novel therapeutic approach in cardiovascular regenerative medicine enabling the restoration within the body of complex cardiac parts with patient’s own tissue. The porous structure of a Xeltis’ bioabsorbable heart valve enables cardiovascular restoration by harnessing the body’s natural healing process to pervade it with new healthy tissue once implanted. As a new healthy heart valve or blood vessel made of patient’s own tissue forms around the structure of the implant and takes over functionality, the implanted valve gets absorbed in the body.
Watch a video exp[laining how the Xeltis technology works.
The combination of the successful clinical study on Xeltis technology and the positive outcomes of the preclinical study of Xeltis’ pulmonary valve paved the way for the company to commence its current Xplore-I clinical study on a bioabsorbable pulmonary heart valve. Xplore-I is a multisite feasibility trial currently enrolling pediatric patients in leading heart centers in Europe. Xeltis announced at the EACTS annual meeting that three pediatric patients have already been successfully implanted as part of the trial.
For more information: www.xeltis.com