Cardiva's Catalyst III Cleared

May 19, 2009—Cardiva Medical, Inc. (Mountain View, CA) announced that its Catalyst III drug-coated vessel-closure device has received clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration. According to the company, the Catalyst III is coated with protamine sulfate, a drug that neutralizes heparin in the tissue adjacent to the device. Local heparin reversal by the Catalyst III system facilitates vessel closure as an adjunct to manual compression in patients undergoing anticoagulation with heparin. Catalyst III's protamine coating contacts the tissue tract from the arteriotomy site to the point of percutaneous entry in the skin.

"We believe that localized protamine in the tissue tract makes a big difference," commented Craig Walker, MD. "Not only can we accomplish rapid, natural vessel closure for our patients, but we can also improve our efficiency while utilizing a more cost-effective and time-tested anticoagulant."