Lisbon, Portugal – May 14, 2025. The VitaFlow Liberty® Transcatheter Aortic Valve and Retrievable Delivery System (hereinafter referred to as "VitaFlow Liberty®"), independently developed by MicroPort CardioFlow Medtech Corporation (CardioFlow, 02160.HK), has successfully completed its first commercial implant at Hospital De Santa Cruz, a leading comprehensive hospital in Portugal. The procedure was performed by an expert team led by internationally recognized KOL Dr. Rui Teles. The patient showed no significant paravalvular leakage or other complications post-surgery, marking a great successful case.
Since becoming the first China-made TAVI system to obtain EU CE certification in 2024, VitaFlow Liberty® has accelerated its commercialization across Europe. Portugal is the eighth high-growth European medical device market where the system has been successfully introduced, following Switzerland, Italy, Denmark, Spain, Serbia, Poland, and Greece.
Case details
Preoperative Assessment
The patient was a 63-year-old female. CT analysis revealed a tricuspid aortic valve with stenosis, mild calcification, an annular circumference of 67.8 mm, and a mean diameter of 21.6 mm. The left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) circumference of 65.5 mm and a mean diameter of 20.9 mm. The sinus of valsalva were 26.8 mm, 25.9 mm, and 26.8 mm, respectively, with a mean diameter of 23.7 mm at the sinotubular juction (STJ) and 31.8 mm at the ascending aorta. The annular angle was 65°.
Case Strategy
This was a typical tricuspid valve case with mild calcification. Based on the annular perimeter, the TAV 24 valve from the VitaFlow Liberty® was recommendation. Due to the patient’s mild calcification, the physician determined that the strong radial force of the VitaFlow stent could effectively expand the stenosis area, and thus decided to proceed with direct implantation without pre-dilation. The right femoral was recommended to be primary access.
Case Outcome
The final result showed a 3mmHg pressure gradient, no significant paravalvular leakage, a subvalvular implantation depth of 3mm, and no other complications.
Postoperative Evaluation
Following the procedure, Dr. Rui Teles praised VitaFlow Liberty®, stating that its design meets international leading standards for TAVI systems. He highlighted its innovative double-layer skirt design, which effectively reduces paravalvular leakage, and its motorized delivery system, which ensures precise and stable valve deployment. He expressed optimism that the product would provide local patients with superior treatment options.
Conclusion
In Europe—a benchmark market for global medical device regulation, VitaFlow Liberty® has not only overcome entry barriers but also gained widespread recognition from experts across multiple countries, demonstrating the global competitiveness of China’s high-end medical devices. Leveraging Europe’s thriving medical device market, valued at over €100 billion and ranking as the world’s second-largest, CardioFlow is accelerating VitaFlow Liberty®’s overseas commercialization to expand market share and drive corporate growth. Simultaneously, the company continues to enhance product competitiveness through technological innovation and pipeline expansion, ensuring that China’s advanced medical solutions benefit more global patients with structural heart disease.