Medtronic Grows Coronary Portfolio With DxTerity Diagnostic Catheters and Suite of Transradial Products

February 13, 2017—Medtronic announced the expansion of its coronary portfolio to now include the DxTerity diagnostic angiography catheter line and several transradial-specific products, including the DxTerity TRA, InTRAkit access kit, and TRAcelet compression device. These products have received US Food and Drug Administration and European CE Mark approval for use in diagnostic cardiac catheterization procedures and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

According to Medtronic, the DxTerity and DxTerity TRA diagnostic catheters can help physicians determine whether revascularization is needed in patients with coronary artery disease. Specifically, the DxTerity TRA diagnostic catheters are designed for transradial access and allow for engagement of both coronary arteries without catheter exchange. The company described the TRAcelet compression device as a tool to simplify pressure reduction after transradial catheterization by enabling access site patent hemostasis. The InTRAkit access kit, as explained by Medtronic in their announcement, enhances the transradial experience by providing several component pieces, which include:

• Atraumatic mini-guidewires
• Ergonomic needles that offer excellent flashback visualization
• Tapered introducer sheaths that provide kink resistance and enhanced lubricity for easy insertion

"The global approval of the DxTerity diagnostic catheters, as well as the introduction of the new Medtronic suite of transradial products, represents a significant step forward for patients requiring PCI procedures," commented Sunil Rao, MD, in the company’s announcement. He continued, “It’s increasingly important to have a full suite of products accompanied by robust training to increase physician utilization, improve patient comfort, and enable same-day discharge.” Dr. Rao is an interventional cardiologist and Associate Professor of Medicine at Duke University, in Durham, North Carolina.

Medtronic also recently launched the Transradial Arc Curriculum, a fully-customizable education and training solution for physicians, staff, and administrators to ensure successful adoption of the transradial approach from access to patent hemostasis. The company says the curriculum aims to provide robust clinical training and enhance patient care pathways through a hospital-specific approach to help institutions optimize the delivery of transradial care. The service is only available in the United States.

The DxTerity and DxTerity TRA diagnostic catheters, TRAcelet compression device, and the InTRAkit access kit are commercially available for use in the United States, as well as throughout Europe.