FDA approves new solution for reducing heart muscle damage after serious heart attacks

Michael Walter | | Cardiovascular Business | Acute Coronary Syndromes

ZOLL Medical Corporation, an Asahi Kasei Group company, has gained FDA approval for its new SuperSaturated Oxygen (SSO2) therapy solution for treating heart muscle damage in “widowmaker” heart attacks patients.

The second-generation TherOx System was designed specifically with left anterior descending ST-elevation myocardial infarction (LAD STEMI) patients in mind. More than 30% of patients who experience these heart attacks, commonly referred to as widowmakers due to their extreme seriousness, go on to develop heart failure.

“The TherOx SSO2 Therapy system is another example of ZOLL’s commitment to technology that provides advanced clinical performance to improve outcomes,” Neil Johnston, president of ZOLL Circulation, said in a prepared statement. “We are pleased to provide the interventional cardiologist with a new treatment that augments the standard of care for patients.”

“SSO2 Therapy is the only point-of-care treatment for LAD STEMI patients which results in a predictable reduction in infarct size and improved left ventricular function” Richard A. Schatz, MD, research director of cardiovascular interventions at Scripps Memorial Hospital in La Jolla, California, said in the same statement. “This can translate to heart failure prevention and patient survival.”

Michael Walter
Michael Walter, Managing Editor

Michael has more than 18 years of experience as a professional writer and editor. He has written at length about cardiology, radiology, artificial intelligence and other key healthcare topics.

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