MTR ComboIn development

Two valves. One procedure.

MTR Combo is an investigational, minimally invasive therapy for patients with biventricular failure and both mitral and tricuspid regurgitation. It treats both conditions in a single procedure.

Schematic of MTR Combo: a loop around the mitral annulus and a coaptation spacer across the tricuspid valve Mitral valve Tricuspid valve
  • Loop around the mitral annulus
  • Tricuspid coaptation spacer
Schematic, not to scale.

How it works

Two approaches in one system.

MTR Combo joins left ventricular remodeling for functional mitral regurgitation with spacer-based coaptation support for tricuspid regurgitation.

Mitral

Left ventricular remodeling

A transvenous loop placed around the mitral annulus reshapes the left ventricle to reduce proportionate functional MR.

Tricuspid

Coaptation support

Tau Medical’s proprietary spacer system supports tricuspid leaflet coaptation to reduce TR.

By addressing both valve diseases in one procedure, MTR Combo aims to reduce procedural burden and offer a more integrated strategy for advanced heart failure with combined valve dysfunction.

MTR Combo implanted, four-chamber view
MTR Combo implanted, short-axis view

Unmet clinical need

A high‑risk population with few options.

Patients with combined functional MR and TR have a high need for treatment but very limited transcatheter options. Many could be suitable candidates for a transcatheter approach that treats both valves.

2M

People in the U.S.

estimated to have functional MR

1 in 3

Also have significant TR

creating a large population with disease in both valves

Estimate U.S. figures extrapolated from the sources cited below.

Clinical foundation

Built on mitral cerclage research.

MTR Combo was developed from transcatheter mitral cerclage research, first at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and then at Tau Medical by Dr. Junehong Kim.

Related publications
  1. 19

    Clinical cases in NIH research

    Transcatheter mitral cerclage studies at the NIH.

  2. 5

    Additional clinical cases by Tau Medical

    Mitral loop cerclage applied in patients with secondary MR.

  3. Next

    First-in-human and early feasibility studies

    Planned clinical validation of MTR Combo with Mayo Clinic.

Physicians reviewing cardiac imaging togetherAdobe Stock preview · not licensed

Collaboration

Advancing MTR Combo with Mayo Clinic.

Tau Medical works closely with Mayo Clinic* to advance MTR Combo. Clinical advisory and leadership at Mayo Clinic are provided by Dr. Mayra Guerrero and Dr. Mohamad Alkhouli.

Transfemoral delivery

Advancing a delivery system for transfemoral venous access.

Intellectual property

Expanding the IP portfolio around the combined therapy.

Clinical validation

Demonstrating clinical value through first‑in‑human and early feasibility studies.

*Mayo Clinic has a financial interest in this technology. Mayo Clinic will use any revenue it receives to support its not-for-profit mission in patient care, education, and research.

Clinical development team

Clinical leadership in the U.S. and Korea.

Experts in structural heart intervention, transcatheter valve therapy, and translational device development guide procedure design, clinical strategy, and upcoming feasibility studies.

  • Dr. Mayra Guerrero

    Dr. Mayra Guerrero

    M.D.

    Interventional cardiologist

    Mayo Clinic

    United States
  • Dr. Mohamad Alkhouli

    Dr. Mohamad Alkhouli

    M.D., M.B.A.

    Interventional cardiologist

    Mayo Clinic

    United States
  • Prof. Min-Ku Chon

    Prof. Min-Ku Chon

    M.D., Ph.D.

    Interventional cardiologist

    Pusan National University Yangsan Hospital

    Korea
  • Prof. Cheol Hyun Lee

    Prof. Cheol Hyun Lee

    M.D.

    Interventional cardiologist

    Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital

    Korea

Clinical Evidence

First-in-human results and the ongoing clinical program.

See the evidence

News

Clinical studies, publications, and company updates.

Read the latest

Get in touch

Clinical, partnership, and patient access inquiries.

Contact TAU MEDICAL

References

  1. Ascione G, Carino D, Alfieri O. Surgical approach to combined mitral and tricuspid valve disease: good neighbourhood rules. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2022;24(Suppl I):I1-I8. doi:10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suac096.
  2. Enriquez-Sarano M, Akins CW, Vahanian A. Mitral regurgitation. Lancet. 2009;373(9672):1382-1394. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(09)60692-9.
  3. Latib A, Tang GHL, Hahn RT, et al. Tricuspid regurgitation: what is the real clinical impact and how often should it be treated? EuroIntervention. 2018;14(AB):AB101-AB111.
  4. Obadia J-F, Messika-Zeitoun D, Leurent G, et al. Percutaneous repair or medical treatment for secondary mitral regurgitation. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(24):2297-2306. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1805374.
  5. Stone GW, Lindenfeld JA, Abraham WT, et al. Transcatheter mitral-valve repair in patients with heart failure. N Engl J Med. 2018;379(24):2307-2318. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa1806640.
  6. Swaans MJ, Bakker ALM, Alipour A, et al. Survival of transcatheter mitral valve repair compared with surgical and conservative treatment in high-surgical-risk patients. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2014;7(8):875-881. doi:10.1016/j.jcin.2014.01.171.