March 15, 2011 – A new tricuspid ring for the treatment of tricuspid valve disease is approved for use in the United States, Europe and several other countries. The Contour 3D Annuloplasty Ring, from Medtronic is designed to restore normal valve function by remodeling the natural valve’s shape and size.
Tricuspid dilation is a progressive disease that eventually leads to severe tricuspid regurgitation (TR), which occurs when the tricuspid valve leaflets do not close properly, allowing blood to flow opposite of the intended direction. For patients with significant dilation of the tricuspid annulus (or opening), surgeons typically recommend surgical repair with an annuloplasty ring or band to restore the normal annular dimensions and normal leaflet closure. This also provides the necessary long?term support of the native annulus.
?The new Contour 3D ring will offer surgeons the opportunity to choose a three? dimensional remodeling tricuspid ring with a true anatomical profile. This will minimize stress of the valve leaflets and optimize valve performance,” said Rüdiger Lange, M.D., Ph.D., director of cardiovascular surgery at The German Heart Centre in Munich, Germany. Lange collaborated with Medtronic and other physicians on the device.
The ring is based on computed tomography (CT) images from normal tricuspid valves. It also was designed to avoid interference with the heart?s conduction system and to ensure that valve leaflets open and close effectively while preventing regurgitation.
For more information: www.medtronic.com
April 30, 2024 
