CardioThoracic Systems (CTSI) is developing a proprietary system of instruments to facilitate minimally-invasive heart bypass surgery. Instead of cutting the chest wide-open (sternotomy) and stopping the heart while the bypass is being completed, CTSI's tools allow for a slit to be cut between two ribs and the IMA artery can be grafted while the heart is still beating. This new procedure is called MIDCAB, and has many benefits over traditional coronary artery bypass surgery, including less complications, less recovery time (since there is no sternotomy performed) and costs about half of what a traditional bypass surgery would cost.
Columbia/HCA last month chose CTSI as their preferred partner to provide products for minimally invasive bypass surgery. It is estimated that between 30% to 60% of bypass patients will be candidates for this new surgery. CTSI is the only pure-play in this new procedure. Anyone else been following it? |
