APRIL - 20239the standard treatment for MR, but not all patients are eligible or appropriate for open-heart surgery due to the potential risk of complications for invasive surgery.Abbott pioneered repair for the mitral valve through MitraClip, and it has changed the way physicians approach treating patients with MR,improving their quality of life. We continue to advance the device by incorporating the latest technologies and capabilities into newer generations of MitraClip. Now on its fourth generation, the latest iteration of the device offers physicians independently controlled valve grippers, advanced steering during implantation and four clip sizes, to provide more treatment options that can be tailored to a patient's unique mitral valve anatomy.MitraClip now has Medicare broad reimbursement, including for people with secondary MR resulting from heart failure, significantly expanding access to the therapy.Today, MitraClipis approved in more than 75 countries and has been used by physicians to help more than 150,000 people* with MR since it became available.Changing Lives One Patient at a TimeWe've seen how our products have bettered the lives of those with heart conditions, and have been inspired by the strength of each patient, including 78-year-oldMitraClip recipient Carolyn Cross. In 2016, Carolyn had a heart attack just three days after the passing of her beloved husband.She received two stents to open up clogged arteries that evening.Even after the two stents, she continued to suffer shortness of breath and fluid retention. After more than 10 hospitalizations, she received Abbott's CardioMEMSTM HF System to help her physicians proactively manage her congestive heart failure symptoms. However even with these interventions, Carolyn felt terrible and was ultimately diagnosed with MR. Each day felt uncertain for Carolyn as she didn't know if her health would take an unexpected turn, making it difficult to find joy in simple things, like playing with her grandchildren or going on walks with her friends.Early that next year, Carolyn's doctors determined she was a candidate for MitraClip. After an overnight stay following her procedure, she felt a significant difference in her energy and stamina as blood flow through her mitral valve was normalized. With the MitraClip implant, Carolyn felt empowered to reclaim her active lifestyle. Where We Go From HereCarolyn's story is just one example of how Abbott's life-changing technology can impact people's lives. The stories of patients motivate employees at Abbott to drive continued innovation for heart and other health conditions, taking valuable key learnings and applying them to existing and new technology. Our structural heart therapies offer hope to people around the world and we believe, in time, will become the new standard of care due to their safe, effective, durable and less invasive nature. While there continues to be much more work to be done to ensure health solutions are meeting the needs of people around the world, Abbott is proud to bring forward new solutions and products across its broad portfolio, and remains committed to helping people live their best lives. The stories of patients motivate employees at Abbott to drive continued innovation for heart and other health conditions, taking valuable key learnings and applying them to existing and new technology
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