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Experts Vote No on Heart Device

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From Reuters

Foothill Ranch medical device maker CardioGenesis Corp. failed to win U.S. advisors’ backing Monday for its Axcis device, a laser that blasts tiny holes in the heart to relieve severe, chronic chest pain.

The Food and Drug Administration advisory panel expressed concerns over safety and voted 7 to 2 to recommend against approving the technology, which the maker had presented as a less invasive version of its existing laser product.

With Axcis, doctors can reach the heart through a leg artery. The older device requires surgeons to open the patient’s chest.

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The FDA usually follows its panels’ advice.

Panel member Jeffrey Borer urged more study of the device.

CardioGenesis has yet to turn a profit.

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