Redesigned Edwards heart valve shows improvement in study

SAN FRANCISCO, Mar 11:  A smaller, redesigned version of Edwards Lifesciences’ non-invasive heart valve replacement system called Sapien XT performed well and led to fewer complications than the original Sapien, according to data from a clinical trial presented on Sunday. Both versions, known as transcatheter aortic valve replacements (TAVR), allow surgeons to replace diseased heart valves by threading the new valve into place through an artery via a catheter, sparing patients chest cracking, open heart surgery. (agencies)