The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the first heart valve designed to expand inside the body as children grow. Created by Edwards, the Autus Size-Adjustable Valve is an artificial pulmonary valve for pediatric patients with congenital heart disease. Around 400,000 children born in the US each year have congenital heart defects, with approximately 30% affecting the valves.
The Autus can be implanted as small as 13 millimeters and expanded post-surgery using a balloon catheter up to 22 millimeters, reducing the need for multiple surgeries. Unlike traditional valves that use animal tissue, the Autus uses polymeric flaps that may last longer in children. Follow-up data suggests it holds up better than other models over time.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing