Sulzer Carbomedics Cleared to Market New Heart Valve

Sulzer Carbomedics has received authorization from FDA to market its CPHV OptiForm mitral valve and will begin shipments in late 1999. OptiForm uses a flexible sewing cuff, which can be formed to fit any mitral annular anatomy.

The OptiForm valve addresses specific patient situations in mitral heart valve replacement, such as repeat or double valve replacement, left ventricular hypertrophy, and mitral valve stenosis.

The worldwide total mechanical valve market is estimated at $450 million, $177 million in the United States.