Capstan Medical Sets New Benchmark in Robotic Heart Valve Treatment with First Successful Cases

Capstan Medical Achieves a Historic Milestone

On March 6, 2025, Capstan Medical, a pioneering company in the field of robotic-assisted healthcare solutions, announced a groundbreaking achievement in the treatment of heart valve disease. In a significant leap forward for minimally invasive technology, Capstan successfully performed the world's first robotic catheter mitral valve replacements. This monumental event took place at the Hospital Clínico Universidad Católica in Santiago, Chile, and is expected to set a new standard in the management of heart valve conditions.

Innovative Approach to Heart Valve Disease

Heart disease remains a pressing health crisis globally, claiming a life in the United States every 33 seconds. With over 7 million Americans suffering from various forms of heart valve disease, including malfunctions in the mitral and tricuspid valves, conventional treatment options often fall short. Open-heart surgeries are not feasible for many patients, and traditional catheter-based interventions have high exclusion rates. That’s where Capstan’s pioneering approach offers hope.

Utilizing advanced robotic technology, Capstan has combined novel heart valve implants with an innovative catheter system aimed at transforming the treatment landscape. The recent procedures were led by Dr. Gonzalo Martinez, Director of the Endovascular Therapy Center at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, alongside Dr. Santiago Garcia, who is noted for his expertise in structural heart interventions.

A Game-Changing Technology

Dr. Martinez expressed his excitement over the procedures, stating, "We are honored to pioneer this innovation that has the potential to transform how we treat heart valve disease, especially for patients who aren't candidates for conventional surgery." The success of the robotic-assisted replacements is not only a testament to their technology but also highlights the collaborative spirit of medical teams dedicated to advancing heart care.

The robot-assisted platform provided enhanced stability and control during the procedures, allowing for optimal positioning of the mitral valve implants. Both patients who underwent the pioneering surgeries experienced significant improvements, including the elimination of mitral regurgitation and unobstructed left ventricular outflow. Remarkably, they were discharged just days after the procedure, feeling substantially better than before. This success underscores the potential of robotic interventions in treating valvular heart diseases.

Looking Ahead

Following the completion of these landmark procedures, Capstan secured $110 million in Series C funding in December 2024, laying the groundwork for further clinical trials and development efforts. Maggie Nixon, CEO of Capstan Medical, remarked, "Today marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of structural heart therapy. This achievement demonstrates the potential of our technology to reshape the future of structural heart procedures."

Capstan Medical, which was founded in 2020, is setting a new standard in minimally invasive heart valve interventions with its first-of-its-kind catheter-based robotic platform and next-generation valves. The vision is clear: to enhance outcomes for heart valve patients worldwide.

For more information on Capstan Medical and its innovative technologies, visit Capstan Medical. This dramatic advance in treatment not only symbolizes hope for patients with limited options but also underscores the relentless drive of medical innovation in the face of life-threatening challenges.

As Capstan continues to forge ahead, the hope is that this technology will lead to more breakthroughs, saving countless lives and improving the quality of care for heart patients around the globe.