OpSens Inc. received Health Canada approval for the SavvyWire(TM), its new guidewire for transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures, or TAVR. The SavvyWire, a third-generation, intelligent, pre-shaped, structural guidewire with integrated pressure monitoring, aims at improving procedural efficiency and clinical outcomes by allowing multiple steps over the same device without exchange. This device is designed to support the growing minimalist TAVR approach.

With the SavvyWire, physicians can expect to implant the percutaneous valve over the same device while obtaining continuous and accurate hemodynamic measurements to assist their diagnosis. The evolution of TAVR Aortic valve stenosis occurs when the heart's aortic valve narrows, preventing it from opening completely and restricting blood flow from the heart to the main artery (aorta) and then to the rest of the body. The TAVR procedure was initially only indicated for inoperable patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis, and later for patients at high surgical risk.

Clinical programs such as PARTNER and COREVALVE have since shown better or equivalent clinical outcomes in intermediate and low surgical risk patients. The TAVR procedure is rapidly evolving toward minimalist approach that advances the procedure and allows patients to leave the hospital earlier, sometimes the same day.