The success of transcatheter aortic valve replacement has generated optimism that the much larger pool of mitral regurgitation patients can be similarly served. While big strategics bet on replacement, however, other companies are betting on repair, developing less invasive devices inspired by an array of established mitral valve surgical repair techniques.

Amid the success of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), strategic acquisitions of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) companies and the success of mitral valve repair device MitraClip, a group of companies are developing a number of minimally invasive options to repair mitral valves. Whether minimally invasive repair, replacement, or some combination will emerge as the best option for patients with mitral regurgitation remains unclear, and insiders say this road will be rockier than it was for TAVR.

This Month's Profile Group, Start-Ups Reduce Radiation Exposure, features profiles of ControlRad Systems, Nanovi, and SoniTrack Systems. Plus these Start-Ups Across Health Care: Mardil Medical, MedLumics, Mnemosyne Pharmaceuticals, and OxSonics.

Mardil Medical Inc.’s VenTouch System for treating functional mitral valve regurgitation is intended to reshape and correct the geometry of the dilated heart, reduce or eliminate mitral valve regurgitation, and reduce heart wall stressors, all leading to a beneficial reverse remodeling effect.