New heart valve may lower risk of rejection

updated 3:29 p.m. ET Feb. 7, 2008

WASHINGTON - The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday approved a new heart valve from CryoLife that may lower the risk of rejection.

FDA said the Atlanta-based company's device is the first heart valve made from human tissue that has had the skin cells removed. Normally, when human tissue is removed from a cadaver to make a heart valve it is cleaned to prevent infection, but otherwise remains unchanged.

The CryoValve SynerGraft Pulmonary Valve goes through an extra step to remove tissue cells, leaving a scaffold-like valve, which the FDA said may lower the chance of triggering the body's immune system.

Heart valves made from human tissue are often used on children because they don't require patients to take blood thinners on a long-term basis. Other types of valves are made from pigs or cows.

Print this Email this Blog this  IM this

MORE FROM HEART HEALTH

Heart health Section Front

Beta blocker before surgery raises stroke risk   Marijuana may up heart attack, stroke risk Most Americans can’t spot stroke warning signs FDA rejections may mean higher bar for drugs Greater wealth tied to lower stroke risk Spit test could diagnose heart attacks Diet lowers women's heart attack rate 24 percent Key Vytorin meeting minutes created 'after fact' Meditation may boost heart health FDA: 100 deaths tied to heparin since 2007 Heart health Section Front   Add Heart health headlines to your news reader: