Transjuaular Transcatheter Tricuspid Valve Implantation of LuX-Valve Bioprostnesis in a Preclinical Model

The purpose of this preclinical study in a sheep model was to confirm the feasibility and safety of the LuX-Valve transjugular tricuspid valve (TV) replacement apparatus and to optimize the implantation procedure before beginning first-in-man study. The LuX-Valve was implanted in a sheep model (n = 8) via transjugular approach. Six of eight sheep underwent successful implantation procedure on beating heart. The first two sheep died during the prostheses deployment. In the remaining 6 sheep that survived, postoperative echocardiography results showed there was no paravalvular leakage (PVL) and central tricuspid regurgitation in 5 animals, whereas 1 animal had mild PVL. The mean transvalvular gradient was 1.1 +/- 0 9 mm Hg at the 4-week follow-up. No right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) obstruction, device malposition, pericardial effusion, coronary artery compression, or arrhythmias were observed. This technology may be a promising alternative for TR patients who are at high risk for open-heart surgery.