NeoChord’s Nexus Mitral Chordal Repair Procedure Using Multiple Chords to a Single Anchor Evaluated in Feasibility Study

November 22, 2021—NeoChord, Inc. announced positive 30-day results from the first successful mitral chordal repair procedure using multiple chords to a single anchor with the company’s Nexus transcatheter mitral chordal repair device. The results track the first patient enrolled in NeoChord’s early feasibility study.

According to the company, the investigational Nexus device is designed to restore function in patients with severe symptomatic primary mitral regurgitation (MR) while maintaining the natural physiologic functionality of the mitral valve. It is deployed through the vein using a transfemoral delivery catheter and navigated transeptally to the diseased native mitral valve. The NeoChord Nexus is an investigational device and is not commercially available. On October 4, 2021, the company announced the completion of the first-in-human procedure with the Nexus technology performed at the University Hospital of Bordeaux, France, in collaboration with the Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Germany.

The company reported that the patient’s preprocedure MR grade of severe or 4+ was reduced to trace and remained unchanged at the 30-day follow-up. The results were presented by Azeem Latib, MD, at the PCR London Valve Meeting.

“The ability to precisely place multiple sutures along the free edge of the mitral leaflet as primary chords significantly enhances the effectiveness of the procedure,” commented Dr. Latib in NeoChord’s press release. “Relying on the proprietary fiber-optic light monitor to confirm leaflet capture as a critical, safety measure proved to be a crucial part of the procedure.

“This procedure uniquely respects the geometry of the heart with papillary anchor placement and has the potential to address both anterior and posterior leaflet pathologies.” Dr. Latib, who is closely involved in the development of the NeoChord Nexus device and procedure, is Section Head and Director of Interventional Cardiology and Structural Heart Interventions at Montefiore Medical Center in New York, New York.

Edwin Ho, MD, Co-Director of the Heart Valve/Structural Heart Center at Montefiore Medical Center, added in NeoChord’s press release, “These results highlight the importance of cardiac imaging and echogenicity of the devices for the procedure. The positive outcome in this case confirms the effectiveness of the imaging protocol and procedure workflow, which are now predictable and reproducible.”