The Death of Investing in Heart Surgery: An Exaggerated Demise

Over the past several years, new tools have helped interventional cardiologists capture patients who historically would have been candidates for surgery. Drug-eluting stents are apt to only increase this trend. These technology innovations have sparked the latest round of proclamations that there is no future in cardiac surgery since the sector's largest component--bypass--is waning, and that the only worthwhile coronary device investment opportunities lie in products with interventional applications. Yet cardiac surgery remains a major device opportunity. A significant increase in M&A activity and recent later-round financings by companies like Percardia and Converge indicate that investing in cardiac surgery start-ups remains alive and well, albeit with new challenges. Indeed, some investors believe that heart surgeons, traditionally conservative adopters of new technology, are now more receptive than ever to new devices and procedures because of the threat to their livelihoods posed by interventionalists' increased encroaching on surgeons' core patients.

By Stephen Levin

If Mark Twain were a doctor today, no doubt he'd be a cardiothoracic surgeon. No medical specialty's demise has been more often predicted and, at the same time, more greatly...

Read the full article – start your free trial today!

Join thousands of industry professionals who rely on Medtech Insight for daily insights

  • Start your 7-day free trial
  • Explore trusted news, analysis, and insights
  • Access comprehensive global coverage
  • Enjoy instant access – no credit card required

More from Strategy

SAGA Diagnostics Launches Early Breast Cancer MRD Detection Test In US

 

SAGA Diagnostics has launched its breast cancer residual and recurrence detection test – Pathlight – in the US. The test’s ultrahigh sensitivity and specificity is rare to see in oncology, the company claimed.

Siemens Healthineers Widens FY25 EPS Range By €0.15 To Absorb Up To €300M In Tariff Costs

 
• By 

The imaging, Varian, and advanced therapies segments – which are more reliant on equipment sales – are more heavily affected, with tariffs applying to roughly 55% of their revenue base. In diagnostics, the company expects minimal exposure due to sufficient US value-added manufacturing.

ConcertAI Launches Generative AI-Powered Precision Suite

 

Valued at over $1.9bn, ConcertAI is building on its pre-existing multi-agentic AI SaaS solution CARAai to bring life science customers the new Precision suite of applications: Precision Explorer, Precision Trials, Precision GTM and Precision360.

Roche Diagnostics Day 2025: ‘We Need To Become A Leader In Decentralized Testing’

 

Roche aims to grow its diagnostics sales by mid to high single digits, said CEO of Roche Diagnostics Matt Sause. The company unveiled the Axelios synthesis and sequencing solution and discussed its “long-term commitment” to China, as well as its business strategy for the next five years.

More from Business

SAGA Diagnostics Launches Early Breast Cancer MRD Detection Test In US

 

SAGA Diagnostics has launched its breast cancer residual and recurrence detection test – Pathlight – in the US. The test’s ultrahigh sensitivity and specificity is rare to see in oncology, the company claimed.

Siemens Healthineers Widens FY25 EPS Range By €0.15 To Absorb Up To €300M In Tariff Costs

 
• By 

The imaging, Varian, and advanced therapies segments – which are more reliant on equipment sales – are more heavily affected, with tariffs applying to roughly 55% of their revenue base. In diagnostics, the company expects minimal exposure due to sufficient US value-added manufacturing.

Cardiosense Advances Noninvasive Heart Monitoring With Final Validation Study

 
• By 

Cardiosense has launched a nationwide clinical study, SEISMIC-HF II, to validate its non-invasive, AI-powered technology for monitoring heart failure. The data will be used to file for US regulatory clearance of the Cardiosense heart failure monitoring platform.