FDA Okays Valve That Can Be Placed Without Open-Heart Surgery

[BraveHeart]

WASHINGTON (Dow Jones)--The Food and Drug Administration Monday (1/25/10) approved a Medtronic Inc. (MDT) heart valve that can be implanted without open-heart surgery.

The device, known as the Melody transcatheter pulmonary valve, is designed to be implanted into patients through a small catheter that's inserted into the body. It replaces the pulmonary valve in patients born with a heart defect, and is the first heart valve approved for sale in the U.S. that be implanted without open-heart surgery.:)

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http://online.wsj.com/article_email/BT-CO-20100125-711169-kIyVDAtMUMwTzItNTIyMDUxWj.html

[Tiff-BAV,AS,PDA]

I remember just 9 years ago during my post op visit after I had my Aortic and Pulmonary valves replaced through OHS that Dr. Orsmond told my parents and I that research had just started on doing this procedure! Now 9 years later it is approved by the FDA! I am so thankful for all of the medical advances I have seen over my life time. I can only imagine what type of advancements we will see in years to come ! :)

Tiff