First Patient Enrolled in U.S. IDE Study To Evaluate the Potential of New Device To Reduce Stroke Risk in Atrial Fibrillation Patients

The first patient was treated last week at New York University (NYU) Hospital by Larry Chinitz, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist and director of NYU Langone's Heart Rhythm Center in New York City.** The trial will enroll 1,250 patients at approximately 90 hospitals, and follow them for five years.

"The WaveCrest^® System is designed to enable physicians to close the heart's LAA, where most stroke-causing blood clots occur," said Dr. Chinitz. "For patients with AFib seeking an alternative to anticoagulants or blood thinners, this may be an important procedural option that could reduce the risk of stroke and save lives."

According to the American Stroke Association, people with AFib have a five times higher risk of stroke than the general population¹.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates 87% of all strokes are ischemic strokes², in which blood flow to the brain is blocked by the formation of a clot. Stroke is one of the most devastating and debilitating diseases, costing the United States an estimated $34 billion each year.³

"Preventing and reducing the risk of stroke in AFib patients is a significant unmet need," said Shlomi Nachman, Company Group Chairman of Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Cardiovascular & Specialty Solutions. "We are committed to investing in meaningful innovation and are excited by the prospect of bringing the WaveCrest^® System to the U.S. market so that more patients can benefit."

The study is a prospective, multicenter, randomized, active controlled clinical trial of the WaveCrest® Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion System compared to an existing FDA-approved LAA Closure Device for the reduction in risk of embolic stroke in subjects with non-valvular atrial fibrillation.  

Although the device is under clinical study and not approved for use in the US, the WaveCrest^® Device is CE Mark approved and available in Europe.

About the Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies

The Johnson & Johnson Medical Devices Companies* have been working to make surgery better for more than a century. With substantial breadth and depth in surgical and orthopedic technologies and interventional solutions, we aspire to improve and enhance medical care for people worldwide. Together, we are working to shape the future of health through differentiated products and services.

About Biosense Webster, Inc.

Biosense Webster, Inc. is a global leader in the science of diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders. The company partners with clinicians to develop innovative technologies that improve the quality of care for arrhythmia patients worldwide. Biosense Webster, Inc. is part of the Johnson & Johnson Family of Companies. More information can be found at www.biosensewebster.com.

*Comprising the surgery, orthopedics, and cardiovascular businesses within Johnson & Johnson's Medical Devices segment

**Dr. Larry Chinitz is compensated for his services as a primary investigator for the WaveCrest® Trial.

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¹ http://www.strokeassociation.org/STROKEORG/LifeAfterStroke/HealthyLivingAfterStroke/UnderstandingRiskyConditions/When-the-Beat-is-Off---Atrial%20Fibrillation_UCM_310782_Article.jsp#.WlPC_baZMQ9 

² Benjamin EJ, Blaha MJ, Chiuve SE, et al. on behalf of the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2017 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2017;135:e229-e445.

³ https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm

SOURCE Biosense Webster, Inc.

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