Thoratec HeartMate XVE
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Enhanced version of the HeartMate VE left ventricular assist system, which debuted Dec. 17 for use as a bridge to transplant, incorporates a longer, thinner lead and a rotating tunneling bullet to ease implantation of the device, as well as improved graft design to reduce kinking and increased battery life. Thoratec plans to file a PMA supplement for the XVE as an alternative-to-transplant destination therapy, pending approval of the same indication for the VE (1"The Gray Sheet" Nov. 19, 2001, p. 15)...