Xeltis, a Netherlands-based company producing cardiovascular implants to stimulate natural regeneration of biological tissue, has received funding from the European Union’s rescue fund.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is performed routinely using devices providing protection from stroke as standard of care. However, cerebral embolic protection devices currently available do not capture and remove emboli from all three vessels leading to the brain. The Emblok Embolic Protection System from Innovative Cardiovascular Solutions (ICS) has developed an embolic filter designed to protect all three cerebral vessels during TAVR and remove debris from the entire circulatory system.

Reported sales and earnings from the publicly traded cardiovascular device companies in 2018 were generally strong, led by transcatheter aortic valve replacement devices, but some sectors of the industry, especially ventricular assist devices and peripheral drug-coated balloons, face significant challenges. Here's a recap of results from the cardio device companies that have reported so far, with a focus on Medtronic, Edwards, and Abbott.