Top 10 Cardiac Device Innovations of 2024: Advancing Heart Care Through Regulatory Approvals, Clinical Breakthroughs, and Digital Health

In 2024, innovations in cardiac devices made waves, with regulatory approvals, clinical breakthroughs, and product launches driving advancements in cardiac care.

Medtronic, Abbott, and Edwards Lifesciences attracted our readers' attention, while tech giant Apple also made headlines by securing a landmark FDA approval.

The most popular stories of 2024 covered innovations in cardiac mapping, monitoring, and minimally invasive surgery, while digital health tools continued to transform patient management.

10. FDA Approves Medtronic's Affera Cardiac Mapping and Ablation System and Sphere-9 Catheter

Medtronic's Affera Mapping and Ablation System (Equipped with Sphere-9 Catheter) Receives FDA Approval

9. Medtronic Launches Next-Generation Surgical Aortic Tissue Valve

Medtronic Launches Next-Generation Avalus Ultra Surgical Aortic Tissue Valve in April 2024

8. Medtronic Claims Linq Implantable Cardiac Monitor is Cost-Effective

Medtronic Releases New Data from STROKE AF Study Showing Reveal Linq Insertable Cardiac Monitor (ICM) Offers Greater Cost-Effectiveness Than Standard Monitoring Methods for Post-Stroke Patients. Continuous AFib monitoring with Linq reduces ischemic strokes and improves long-term patient outcomes at a cost significantly below the willingness-to-pay threshold in the U.S. These findings further solidify the economic and clinical value of Medtronic’s ICM in managing atrial fibrillation and preventing secondary strokes, the company said.

7. Abbott to Launch Its Latest Navitor TAVI System in the U.S.

Abbott Launches Its Latest Navitor Vision Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) System in the U.S. The system features highly visible markers to ensure optimal implantation depth and is touted as Abbott's largest valve with the smallest delivery system. This design helps improve access to the coronary arteries, facilitating future surgeries for treating coronary artery disease.

6. Edwards' Evoque Tricuspid Valve Replacement Receives FDA Approval

Edwards Lifesciences' Evoque Tricuspid Valve Replacement System Receives FDA Approval. This is the first transcatheter therapy approved by the FDA for treating tricuspid regurgitation, the company said. The system features a nitinol self-expanding frame, an inner skirt, and tissue leaflets made from bovine pericardial tissue.

5. Canary Medical implants heart sound monitor in human body for the first time

Canary Medical Completes First-in-Human Limited Feasibility Study of Its Cardiac Auscultation Monitoring Device

4. Medtronic's New Generation Micra Leadless Pacemaker Receives CE Certification

In January 2024, Medtronic's Micra AV2 and Micra VR2 miniature leadless pacemakers received CE Mark certification. Compared to earlier versions, the new pacemakers offer longer battery life and simpler programming, with battery longevity approaching 16 years and 17 years, respectively. The Micra devices also provide remote monitoring capabilities, which can reduce hospitalizations and enhance patient reassurance.

3. Abbott Completes First Human Leadless Left Bundle Branch Area Pacing Procedure

Abbott announced that the company has completed the world's first leadless left bundle branch area pacing (LBBAP) case in humans using its Aveir conduction system pacing leadless pacemaker. Abbott stated that Aveir can mimic the heart’s natural beating, offering a potential new treatment option for patients with slower heart rhythms. The company has received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for Aveir.

2. Abbott Announces First Use of Volt Pulse Field Ablation System for Treatment

In January 2024, Abbott announced the world's first surgeries using the Volt pulsed field ablation (PFA) procedure. Volt treats patients with common abnormal heart rhythms, such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). It pairs a basket-shaped balloon catheter with the EnSite X EP cardiac mapping system to help physicians visualize and position the Volt PFA catheter within the heart.

1. Apple Watch’s AFib Detection Tool Receives Landmark FDA Approval