Baku, Azerbaijan — December 4, 2024. VitaFlow Liberty^®, the transcatheter aortic valve and retrievable delivery system independently developed by MicroPort^® CardioFlow Medical Technology Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "MicroPort^® CardioFlow", 02160.HK), successfully completed its first commercial application in Western Asia at Universal Hospital in Azerbaijan. The procedure was led by Dr. Uzeyir Rahimove, the hospital's director, with online guidance from Professor Jianfang Luo's team at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital. The patient experienced no significant paravalvular leakage or other complications postoperatively, marking a complete success for the surgery.

Preoperative Assessment

A 69-year-old male patient presented with a stenotic tricuspid aortic valve exhibiting mild to moderate calcification. Computed tomography (CT) analysis revealed the following anatomical dimensions:

Aortic annulus: Circumference of 78.1 mm, mean diameter of 24.9 mm.

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT): Circumference of 76.3 mm, mean diameter of 24.6 mm.

Sinuses of Valsalva: Widths of 31.1 mm, 33.2 mm, and 33.3 mm, respectively.

Sinotubular junction (STJ): Mean diameter of 31.3 mm.

Ascending aorta: Mean diameter of 40.8 mm.

 

Surgical Procedure and Outcome

A standard tricuspid valve case was successfully treated with a TAV 27 VitaFlow Liberty^® valve, selected based on annular measurements. Due to the patient’s mild calcification, an 18mm balloon was used for pre-dilation. The effective inner diameter of the right-sided access is adequate, but the bifurcation is high. The phisician decided to perform a high puncture and still selected the right-sided access as the primary approach.

 

Surgical Outcomes

The postoperative pressure gradient measured 3 mmHg, with no significant paravalvular leakage observed. The valve was implanted at a depth of 5 to 6 mm below the annulus, and no additional complications were noted. Overall, the surgery was a complete success.

Summary 

Azerbaijan, situated at the core of the Eurasian continent, functions as a crucial link between Eastern and Western regions. In recent years, the nation has witnessed consistent and robust economic growth, rendering its medical device market particularly promising. The inaugural commercial deployment of the VitaFlow Liberty^® in this strategically significant market is expected to enhance its influence throughout Europe. Furthermore, this event signifies the official introduction of the world's sole electrically retrievable transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) system into the Western Asian market. This achievement is anticipated to expedite the company's expansion within Asia, ultimately benefiting a greater number of patients. 
 

Looking forward, MicroPort^® CardioFlow aims to accelerate its globalization efforts, thereby demonstrating the innovative capabilities associated with "Intelligent Manufacturing of China" on a global scale. The company is dedicated to contributing to the advancement of global treatments for structural heart diseases, embodying the concept of "Chinese power."