Abbott has entered a collaboration with AtaCor Medical to develop a next-generation investigational extravascular implantable cardioverter defibrillator (EV-ICD) system aimed at treating patients at risk of life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias.
Under the agreement, AtaCor’s investigational parasternal EV-ICD lead (Atala) will be integrated with Abbott’s investigational extravascular ICD platform to create a minimally invasive defibrillation system that keeps lead components outside the heart and blood vessels.
The design is intended to reduce complications commonly associated with traditional transvenous ICDs, including vascular injury, lead fractures, malfunctions and lead-related infections, while also limiting the need for complex revision procedures.
The combined system is designed to provide defibrillation and pacing therapy without placing leads inside cardiac chambers or veins. AtaCor’s Atala lead is implanted through a rib space adjacent to the breastbone and positioned along the left side of the sternum. Its directional lead architecture is designed to deliver pacing energy more efficiently toward the heart compared with existing extravascular systems.
As part of the collaboration, AtaCor plans to launch a pivotal Investigational Device Exemption (IDE) clinical trial in 2026, known as the ALARION EV Study, to evaluate the performance and safety of the combined Abbott–AtaCor EV-ICD system.
The initiative strengthens Abbott’s cardiac rhythm management portfolio, which already includes technologies such as leadless pacemakers, conduction system pacing systems, and implantable defibrillators. The EV-ICD collaboration is intended to expand treatment options for physicians by offering a less invasive alternative to traditional ICD therapy while preserving the ability to deliver life-saving shocks and pacing.
The Abbott–AtaCor partnership reflects the growing focus within cardiac care on safer, lower-risk implantable technologies that can deliver effective rhythm control while reducing long-term complications associated with intravascular and intracardiac leads.
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