Medtronic, J&J's Cordis headline EuroPCR 2013

EuroPCR kicked off in Paris on Tuesday, bringing devicemakers from around the globe together to unveil data and angle for attention from the continent's interventional cardiovascular specialists. Here's a look at some early highlights from the conference.

Courtesy of Medtronic
  • Medtronic ($MDT) touted two new studies of its renal denervation technology. First, in a look at a registry of 617 patients treated with the Symplicity device for hypertension, Medtronic found no reported major complications or serious adverse events. On the efficacy side, after 6 months, patients experienced an average blood pressure drop of 30/16 mm Hg, which Medtronic says can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and vascular disease. Second, Medtronic unveiled data on its next-generation Symplicity, a multi-electrode device designed cut procedure times by more than 50%. The so-named Symplicity Spyral system was safe in patients and, after one month, lowered blood pressure at a rate consistent with its forebear. Registry study | Symplicity Spyral
     
  • Cordis, a unit of Johnson & Johnson ($JNJ), is launching two technologies at EuroPCR: the S.M.A.R.T. Flex vascular stent system, a self-expanding implant the company acquired in its March buyout of Flexible Stenting Solutions, and the Adroit guiding catheter, designed to offer physicians more options for patients with challenging anatomy. In addition, Cordis is hosting a symposium on renal denervation Wednesday which could be the site of J&J announcing its entré into the much-hyped sector. Release
     
  • Courtesy of Edwards
    Edwards Lifesciences ($EW) released a one-year post-marketing study of its lower-profile Sapien XT aortic valve, finding an 80.5% post-implantation survival rate and a 6.3% rate of stroke in patients. The XT is Edwards' latest addition to its market-leading Sapien transcatheter valves, and while the device is yet to win U.S. approval, Edwards is in the midst of a large-scale trial targeting the FDA. Results
     
  • Courtesy of Veryan Medical
    Veryan Medical released new data on its BioMimics 3D stent, designed to treat peripheral artery disease, demonstrating that the device was both safe and effective after 12 months. In a study of 76 patients, Veryan compared its helical implant to a standard nitinol stent, finding 80.4% primary patency for patients treated with BioMimics 3D compared with 72% for the control group, results that establish Veryan's uniquely designed device will be patency-protective through the stenting process, the company said. The device won its CE mark in November. News
     
  • Courtesy of Neovasc
    Canada's Neovasc reported early data from patient registries on its Neovasc Reducer, a percutaneous device designed to treat a shortage of blood flowing into the heart muscle, called refractory angina. In a 6-month follow-up, Reducer significantly improved angina and physical disability in 15 patients. The device is already CE marked, and Neovasc plans to use its positive data to market the Reducer in Europe and lay a foundation for U.S. approval. More
     
  • Courtesy of Medtronic
    Finally, Medtronic put out more positive results for CoreValve, the TAVI device it's using to challenge Edwards' market share overseas. First, in one-year data, Medtronic found CoreValve to have an all-cause mortality rate of 17.9%, a cardiovascular mortality rate of 11.7% and an overall stroke rate of 4.5%. The company touts those results as among the lowest in large-scale TAVI studies. Second, Medtronic completed a cost-effectiveness study for CoreValve, finding the device improved patient outcomes, reduced rehospitalizations and slashed costs compared to standard medical management. Mortality rate | Cost-effectiveness

Stay tuned for more EuroPCR coverage throughout the week.