The Food and Drug Administration approved a new use for Edwards Lifesciences Corp.'s Sapien 3 artificial heart valve, reports Reuters.
The valve may now be used to replace failing heart valves previously implanted in high risk patients, according to the report. Clinicians place the Sapein 3 valve into the failing valve through a blood vessel or small incision in the patient's chest, which offers a less invasive treatment option than repeat open heart surgery.
The FDA originally approved the valve as a replacement for a patient's natural valve when open heart surgery is deemed too risky.