Heart repair overhaul
Edwards Lifesciences in Irvine has been making artificial heart valves since 1960, so it thought it knew the ins and outs of treating valve disease.
But since 2004 it has run into many surprises — some encouraging, some upsetting — as it worked on a system for implanting valves without open-heart surgery.
One of the biggest discoveries was how much it had to overhaul the technology, which it purchased as part of a $125 million-plus corporate acquisition.
Another revelation was how many people might want the product if the Edwards catheter system for heart valves lives up to its potential.
