Improving heart valve replacement by lacerating old leaflets

Simple and Effective Laceration of Potentially-calcified Leaflets as an Adjunct to Transcatheter Valve Replacement

NIH-funded research Boston Children's Hospital · NIH-11012915

This study is looking at a new way to replace heart valves that might help patients who can't have regular surgery by making small cuts in the old valve to make room for a new one, which could lead to fewer problems and better results for those with heart valve issues.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionBoston Children's Hospital NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11012915 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates a new technique for heart valve replacement that involves lacerating potentially calcified leaflets before inserting a new valve. By cutting the old leaflets, the new valve can be positioned more effectively, reducing the risk of complications such as obstructed blood flow. This approach aims to make transcatheter valve replacement safer and more effective for patients who are too ill for traditional surgery. The study will evaluate the outcomes of this technique in patients with valvular heart disease.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are patients with valvular heart disease who are at high risk for traditional surgery.

Not a fit: Patients with non-calcified leaflets or those who are not candidates for any form of valve replacement will likely not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could enable more patients to safely undergo heart valve replacement procedures, improving their quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown promising results with similar techniques in improving outcomes for heart valve replacement, suggesting this approach may be effective.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.