Abbott launches pea-sized life-saving device for babies with hole in heart

The device is particularly useful for tiny babies who may not be able to undergo surgery to repair their hearts

Global health care company Abbott has launched what it claims is the world's first medical device that can be implanted in the tiniest of babies (weighing as little as 700 gm) using a minimally invasive procedure to treat patent ductus arteriosus, or PDA. 

Responding to an email query, the company said the launch is pan-India, with focus on centres have an active neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with skilled pediatric interventional cardiologists.

In common parlance, the condition is known as 'hole in the heart".

The Amplatzer Piccolo Occluder, a device smaller than a pea, offers hope to premature infants and newborns who need