Abbott’s Epic Max Stented Tissue Surgical Valve Approved by FDA

March 30, 2023—Abbott announced that the FDA has approved the company’s Epic Max stented tissue valve to treat patients with aortic regurgitation or stenosis. The company stated that the new device is an addition to Abbott’s Epic surgical valve platform, which has a decades-long history of safety and strong clinical outcomes, with a design that is optimized to further improve valve blood flow.

According to Abbott, Epic Max is designed to achieve excellent hemodynamics and its low-profile frame facilitates potential future transcatheter interventions for patients. This new valve leverages the Epic surgical valve platform’s long-term performance and durability.

“The aortic valve is one of the heart valves most commonly impacted by cardiovascular disease, frequently requiring replacement,” commented Joseph E. Bavaria, MD, in Abbott’s press release. “Abbott’s Epic Max design optimizes blood flow for patients and has a low profile that makes future cardiac interventions, if necessary, easier.” Dr. Bavaria is a cardiovascular surgeon at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.