A-med

A-Med Systems was a medical technology company specializing in the development of minimally invasive circulatory support systems for cardiac patients. The company's primary innovation was a percutaneous ventricular assist device (pVAD), a catheter-based micro-axial flow pump designed to provide temporary hemodynamic support. Unlike traditional heart pumps that required invasive surgery, A-Med's technology allowed for insertion through the femoral artery, making it suitable for patients in cardiogenic shock or those undergoing high-risk coronary interventions. The company successfully obtained CE Mark approval for its devices in Europe and conducted significant clinical trials in the United States. In 2001, A-Med Systems was acquired by Edwards Lifesciences for approximately $80 million to strengthen its portfolio in the emerging field of cardiac recovery and minimally invasive surgery.