The Epic Mitral stented tissue valve with Linx anticalcification (AC) technology is indicated for patients requiring replacement of a diseased, damaged, or malfunctioning native mitral heart valve. It may also be used to replace a previously implanted prosthetic mitral valve.
Data suggest many patients with degenerative mitral valve disease do not receive state-of-the-art care.1 And while mitral valve repair is typically the treatment of choice to treat mitral valve dysfunction, it is not always feasible.
Considerations When Choosing a Device for Mitral Valve Replacement2
- Valve durability
- The valve’s expected hemodynamic performance
Considerations When Choosing a Bioprosthetic Mitral Valve
A bioprosthetic mitral valve may be a recommended option for patients with:
- A contraindication for anticoagulation therapy, or anticipated nonadherence or inability to regulate vitamin K antagonists2
- Chronic, severe mitral regurgitation (MR) who are undergoing another surgery such as coronary bypass or aortic valve replacement2
- Chronic, severe MR who have symptoms indicating NYHA Class III or IV2 Chronic, severe MR and left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 30%2
- Advanced endocarditis3
- Ischemic mitral valve disease (IMR)—with treatment often including both revascularization and valve repair or replacement3
For patients 50-70 years of age, there is no clear consensus on choosing a mechanical vs tissue valve. Newer-generation tissue prostheses may show greater freedom from structural deterioration, often for older patients.2
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- Adams DH, et al. Degenerative mitral valve regurgitation: best practice revolution. Eur Heart J. 2010;31:1958–1967. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehq222.
- Nishimura RA, et al. 2017 AHA/ACC focused update of the 2014 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Management of Patients with Valvular Heart Disease. Circulation. 2017;135(25):e1159-e1195. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000503.
- Mick SL, et al. Mitral valve repair vs replacement. Ann Cardiothorac Surg. 2015;4(3):230-237.