FDA clears MAQUET’s new SENSATION PLUS 7.5Fr. 40cc intra-aortic balloon catheter

MAQUET Cardiovascular LLC, a leading provider of cardiovascular technologies, today announced that it has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and CE mark approval for its new SENSATION PLUS^® 7.5Fr. 40cc intra-aortic balloon (IAB) catheter. This new larger-volume, fiber-optic IAB catheter will allow clinicians to provide a higher-efficacy IAB counterpulsation therapy "at the speed of light" to smaller patients – those who are 5'0" to 5'4" tall (152-162 cm). It will be available for sale in the United States and in the EU in October.

"Over the last 12 months, MAQUET has launched two new families of IAB catheters, as well as a new balloon pump, CARDIOSAVE^® - all of which are designed to revolutionize counterpulsation therapy, from both an efficacy and safety perspective," said Christian Keller, President and CEO of MAQUET Cardiovascular. "As a global leader in hemodynamic support, we are dedicated to developing and marketing new and innovative products that continuously improve the therapy needs of hemodynamically compromised patients thereby improving patient outcomes."

Since October 2011, MAQUET has added new sizes to its higher efficacy IAB product lines to improve the delivery of hemodynamic support to the most critically ill patients. In addition to the SENSATION PLUS 8 Fr. 50cc catheter, MAQUET has launched the SENSATION PLUS 7.5Fr 40cc IAB for patients 5'0" to 5'4" (152-162 cm). Earlier this year, the company introduced its new MEGA^® IAB catheters, a family of larger volume catheters (30cc, 40cc and 50cc) that allow clinicians to provide a significant increase in hemodynamic support to patients at any height. In 2012, MAQUET also launched CARDIOSAVE, the company's new fiber-optic intra-aortic balloon pump designed with a large state-of-the-art touchscreen display and is smaller, lighter and quieter than any pump the company has ever offered.