Medical devices and health care company Abbott (NYSE:ABT) announced on Monday that it has initiated the first patient procedures with its investigational transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) balloon-expandable system, designed to treat symptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

This system is a key step towards Abbott's AI-guided TAVI solutions, aiming to integrate software guidance in future procedures. Upon completion of clinical trials and regulatory approval, the system will complement Abbott's existing Navitor TAVI, providing physicians with another treatment option for patients with aortic stenosis.

Aortic stenosis, caused by calcium buildup on the aortic valve, results in reduced blood flow, increasing strain on the heart. The condition can lead to severe symptoms and heart failure if untreated. Patients at high risk for open-heart surgery may benefit from minimally invasive TAVI procedures, which use a balloon-expandable system delivered through an artery.

Abbott's investigational balloon-expandable device works by inflating a balloon-mounted valve inside the heart to replace the damaged valve. The new system reflects Abbott's commitment to evolving TAVI solutions, integrating AI and advancing hemodynamic performance for improved patient outcomes.