Freestyle® Aortic Root Bioprosthesis

AOA®* Treatment

The Freestyle bioprosthesis is treated with AOA, a widely researched treatment shown in multiple animal studies to reduce the buildup of calcium. Developed by Biomedical Design, Inc. and exclusive to Medtronic, AOA treatment utilizes a C18 amino-fatty acid synthesized from naturally occurring oleic acid. The Freestyle bioprosthesis is the only stentless valve in the U.S. that incorporates this tissue treatment.

AOA is covalently bound to the aldehyde groups extending from the glutaraldehyde-preserved tissue, as the illustration below shows. The permanence of covalent binding used with AOA has been demonstrated by extensive in vitro leaching studies on treated tissue incubated for months in various media, including serum and strong detergents. Based on these studies, it is expected that AOA will remain attached to the valve tissue.[Chen]

* AOA is a registered trademark of Biomedical Design, Inc., Atlanta, Georgia. The AOA treatment has been shown in multiple animal studies to be effective in mitigating leaflet calcification. Its long-term impact in human patients has not been shown.