China-based cardiovascular disease solutions provider Lepu Medical Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd (SHE: 300003) has announced receiving market approval from the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) for its in-house developed MemoSorb biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluder. This innovative device is now approved for use in patients aged 18 to 60 with patent foramen ovale (PFO) who have experienced unexplained stroke, offering a new treatment option for those with this condition.
PFO Closure and Its Importance
PFO refers to a small hole between the upper right and left chambers (atria) of the heart. After comprehensive evaluation by neurologists and cardiologists to exclude stroke caused by other mechanisms, and where a causal relationship between PFO and ischemic stroke is believed to exist, particularly when PFO presents high-risk anatomical features such as atrial septal aneurysm or large right-to-left shunt, a PFO closure procedure can be performed. PFO closure surgery can effectively prevent related strokes and alleviate symptoms of related diseases.
Advantages of MemoSorb Over Traditional Devices
Traditional metal PFO closure devices, once implanted, remain with the patient for life, potentially hindering future left ventricular intervention pathways and causing complications such as nickel ion precipitation, cardiac tissue erosion, thrombosis, and atrial arrhythmia. In contrast, the MemoSorb biodegradable patent foramen ovale occluder is made from biomedical polymer materials. After implantation, it serves as a temporary bridge, guiding the self-tissue to biorepair and gradually degrading into carbon dioxide and water, which are then naturally discharged from the body. This feature allows for successful closure of the patent foramen ovale while achieving “implantation without residue,” a significant advancement in PFO treatment.-Fineline Info & Tech
