Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic have struggled for supremacy for transcatheter aortic valve devices for several years, but two recent studies suggest the Edwards line of devices provide better outcomes. However, another study gave new life to the notion that TAVR devices are underutilized, signaling that there is plenty of market for both companies.

Patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implant may need a pacemaker after the TAVR device, but a new study suggests that right bundle branch block may predict the need for pacing. The data may have implications for device selection as some devices are seen as less likely to trigger the need for a pacemaker, a development that may move the needle in the robust but increasingly competitive market for TAVR.

SAN FRANCISCO – Abbott Laboratories expects that its self-expanding transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system Portico will be able to become a top competitive product. A pivotal trial of Portico has found that the implant is noninferior to current FDA-approved TAVR systems that are marketed in the U.S. The results from the 750-patient, randomized trial were presented here last week at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference.

Now that the existing inventory of FDA-approved transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) devices has received a green light for patients at low surgical risk, it’s tempting to think this device type has pretty much conquered all that lay before it. That’s not the case, however, as the question of bicuspid valve might be answered in a way that gives Edwards Lifesciences and Medtronic another sizeable patient population for their TAVR offerings. As is widely known, the FDA recently approved two TAVR devices each by Medtronic...