Results from Sorin Group's study on Freedom Solo presented at AATS 2014

Sorin Group, (MIL:SRN) (Reuters Code: SORN.MI), a global medical company and a leader in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, is proud to announce the results of its trial on the Freedom Solo for approval on the US market presented at the 94^th Annual Meeting of American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) in Toronto, Canada.

In the trial presented on April 30, 'One-Year Outcome on 616 Patients Receiving a Stentless Bioprosthesis: Results from a European Multicentre Study' researchers evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the Freedom Solo stentless bioprosthesis in patients requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR) with or without combined cardiac procedures.

One-year outcomes reported by M.Thalmann et.al. showed good clinical results, with low mortality (thirty day mortality and late mortality were respectively 1.5% and 4.5%), low morbidity rate and excellent hemodynamic performance (MPG and EOA at 1 year were 7.2 ± 4 mmHg and 1.5 ± 0.5 mm/cm²).

"This study confirms the safety and effectiveness of a stentless aortic valve that has demonstrated an outstanding hemodynamic performance, durability and ease of implant through years of clinical performance in Europe," said Markus Thalmann, M.D., Krankenhaus Hietzing, Wien, Austria, principal investigator of the European arm and of the U.S. FDA study, which included patients from 18 selected and experienced centers in Europe.

Freedom Solo, a truly stentless and a fully biological aortic heart valve with no synthetic material, has been in clinical use since 2004. This unique bioprosthesis was designed to respect the aortic root anatomy and ensure a physiological blood flow through the annulus.

"Exhibiting excellent hemodynamic performance and proven long-term clinical outcomes, Sorin Group bioprosthetic valves are the choice of cardiac surgeons worldwide. Sorin heart valves remain at the forefront of innovation and uphold our tradition of clinical excellence," said Michel Darnaud, President Cardiac Surgery Business Unit, Sorin Group.