Abbott’s MitraClip shows benefits in high-risk patients

Abbott has reported new data from a clinical study that demonstrates the benefits its MitraClip System can offer in the treatment of mitral regurgitation.

Results from the high surgical risk cohort of the Everest II trial showed that Abbott's minimally invasive device is able to deliver positive clinical and quality-of-life outcomes for symptomatic patients deemed too high a risk to receive open mitral valve surgery.

It is hoped that the findings of this study will help to support Abbott's efforts to secure regulatory approval for the device in the US, having received CE Mark accreditation in 2008.

Charles Simonton, divisional vice-president of medical affairs and chief medical officer at Abbott's vascular business, said: "These results add to the large and growing body of data that show that the first-in-class percutaneous MitraClip therapy can have positive results for high surgical risk patients."

This week, the company also reported positive new data from a trial of the Absorb Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold, showing its effectiveness in treating clogged vessels in the heart.