NAMSA Experience With Cardiovascular Devices

NAMSA offers comprehensive expertise in cardiovascular medical devices, supporting manufacturers with preclinical, clinical, testing, and consulting services. Our proven experience ensures efficient development from concept to compliance, making us the ideal partner for advancing innovative cardiovascular solutions.

 NAMSA Has Completed 8,700+ Projects for Cardiovascular Devices in the Last 5 Years

NAMSA has extensive experience supporting cardiovascular device development. Our expertise spans eight core categories: Vascular, Cardiac Assist, Structural Heart, Heart Valves, Electrophysiology, Interventional Cardiology, Rhythm Management and Surgery. We provide comprehensive services in clinical trials, device testing, and regulatory compliance, ensuring successful outcomes for innovative cardiovascular technologies. Clients trust NAMSA’s deep knowledge across these specialized areas to advance their products efficiently and effectively.

VascularCardiac AssistElectrophysiologyHeart Valves
Aortic and Vascular Grafts 
Clot Management 
Peripheral Vascular 
Closure Devices 
Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumps 
Mechanical Circulatory Support 
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Devices 
Ablation Catheters  
Diagnostic Catheters  
Lab Systems 
Mapping systems 
Prosthetic Heart Valves 
Cardiac Valve Repair Devices  
Transcatheter Heart Valves  
Interventional CardiologyRhythm ManagementStructural HeartSurgery
Cardiac Catheters 
Coronary Guidewires 
Coronary Stents 
Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (CRT) 
Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD)  
Implantable Loop Recorders (ILR) 
Transcatheter Valve Replacement/Repair 
Valvuloplasty devices 
Transeptal Devices 
Septal and LAA Closure Devices 
Beating Heart Surgery Systems  
Perfusion Disposables 

NAMSA Gives You Direct Access to Cardiovascular Key Opinion Leaders

NAMSA’s Key Opinion Leaders bring deep clinical, scientific, and innovation expertise across the Cardiovascular landscape. Their combined backgrounds span advanced surgical techniques, device development, translational research, and early-stage innovation and strategy, giving manufacturers access to strategic, real-world guidance that strengthens decision-making from concept through commercialization. Together, they help clients refine strategy, anticipate clinical and regulatory needs, and ensure their technologies are shaped by leaders who actively influence the future of cardiovascular care. See All NAMSA Cardiovascular KOLs.

Numerous Accreditations and Certifications

NAMSA holds a comprehensive range of certifications and accreditations, demonstrating our commitment to the highest standards in preclinical and clinical research. These credentials ensure rigorous quality, regulatory compliance, and data integrity. For a complete list of our certifications and accreditations, see this page.

  • GLP
  • ISO/IEC 17025
  • AAALAC
  • FDA ASCA

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NAMSA Preclinical Experience with Cardiovascular Devices

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NAMSA’s preclinical services provide manufacturers with a comprehensive, globally accessible foundation for evaluating the safety and performance of cardiovascular technologies. Backed by deep therapeutic expertise and GLP compliant, AAALAC accredited facilities across the US and Europe, our teams design and execute studies that bridge preclinical insights to clinical success—accelerating development while supporting strong, decision ready data. To explore our full capabilities and facility resources, visit our Preclinical page.

Preclinical services we offer:

Why Cardiovascular Manufacturers Choose NAMSA for Preclinical Support

1300+

Preclinical Projects in Support of Cardiovascular Devices in the Last 5 Years

21

Fully Equipped ORs and Cath Labs in US and Europe

17

Pathologists Located in the US and Europe

4

Labs in US and Europe Offering Preclinical Services

Preclinical Expertise: Cardiovascular Models, Faster Translation, Stronger Submissions

NAMSA supports Cardiovascular innovators from concept through clearance by aligning preclinical execution with regulatory strategy from the start. Our consulting teams help:

  • Define efficient, indication‑specific cardiovascular device testing plans
  • Support FDA interactions (including pre‑submission strategy and responses) and engagement with other regulatory authorities
  • Identify the least‑burdensome path to approval, ensuring preclinical data supports regulatory submissions and first‑in‑human readiness

Our GLP‑aligned preclinical platform is purpose‑built for cardiovascular devices, combining expertise in cardiovascular physiology, hemodynamics, biomaterials, and device–tissue interactions. We design studies that capture clinically relevant functional, behavioral, and histopathological endpoints, supporting early feasibility through GLP safety evaluations and producing data packages regulators expect to see.

NAMSA offers a broad and flexible range of cardiovascular specific animal models, selecting the most appropriate approach for each device and indication, and developing novel models in collaboration with sponsors when needed. Our experience spans interventional cardiology, structural heart, cardiac rhythm management, peripheral vascular applications, stents, transcatheter valves, embolic protection devices, vascular grafts, drug device combinations, or ablation technologies. These programs are supported across both small and large animal models, including pigs, sheep, goats, dogs, rabbits, and rats.

Why Cardiovascular Sponsors Choose NAMSA
  • Preclinical strategies designed with the regulatory end goal in mind, not in isolation
  • Deep experience across interventional, structural heart, and vascular technologies
  • Ability to avoid common development traps that delay submissions and first‑in‑human studies
  • Integrated consulting, preclinical, clinical, and testing expertise for faster, more efficient progression
  • More than 50 years of medical device experience and regulator‑recognized reports that build confidence and trust

State of the Art Facilities in the US and Europe

With four strategically located preclinical facilities, two in the United States and two in Europe, NAMSA delivers globally accessible, world‑class environments purpose‑built for cardiovascular device evaluation. Each location is equipped to support a full continuum of preclinical research needs, enabling consistent study execution, rigorous data quality and seamless collaboration across regions. Learn More About our Equipment and Facilities.

Meet NAMSA’s Preclinical Cardiovascular Experts

Meet All Our Experts
  • Jack Risdahl, DVM, PhD

    Jack Risdahl
    Principal Strategy Consultant, Preclinical
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  • Gaëlle Clermont, PharmD, PhD

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    Principal Strategy Consultant
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  • Isabelle Truyers, DVM, DipECBHM

    Director of Laboratory Operations Diest
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  • Travis Schaefers, RCIS

    Interventionalist
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  • Katie Miedtke

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    Interventionalist
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  • Michael A. Jorgenson, BS

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    Principal Interventionalist
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Selected Preclinical Projects for Cardiovascular Devices

NAMSA brings extensive experience delivering both GLP and non‑GLP preclinical programs for Cardiovascular devices, supporting everything from early feasibility and proof‑of‑concept work to pivotal safety and performance studies. Our teams have conducted hundreds of cardio-focused preclinical projects per year across four global sites, leveraging deep model expertise and decades of in vivo experience to generate high‑quality, decision‑driving data. Whether accelerating early iteration through fast‑paced non‑GLP studies or executing robust GLP programs aligned with regulatory expectations, NAMSA provides the scientific rigor, procedural excellence, and translational insight needed to advance innovative cardiovascular devices toward clinical readiness.

Device Type  Indication (s) 
Heart ValvesCardiac Valve Replacement
Left Atrial Appendage OccluderPrevent Stroke from Left Atrial Appendage
Cardiac Pacing Leads and Pulse Generator Manage Cardiac Rhythm Abnormalities
Implantable Cardio-DefibrillatorPrevent Sudden Cardiac Death
Coronary StentRestore Blood Flow
Drug Coated BalloonAngioplasty
Coronary Bypass GraftTotal Coronary Occlusion
Cardiac AblationCardiac Arrhythmias
Septal Closure DeviceSeptal Defects
Thrombectomy DevicesClot Mitigation and Retrieval
Vena Cava FilterClot Migration/Capture
Surgical SealantAdjunct in Vascular Surgery
Vascular GraftVessel Replacement for Large and Peripheral Vessels
Ventricular Assist DevicesHeart Failure
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Heart and/or Lung Failure

Accelerate Your Startup’s Path to Market with Integrated CRO Support

MedTech startups often lose valuable time and momentum coordinating multiple vendors across regulatory, preclinical, clinical, and testing activities. While each provider may be capable, the result is often fragmented oversight, unclear timelines, and increased risk — especially in the early stages when decisions matter most.

Learn about our Solutions for MedTech Startups

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NAMSA Clinical Experience with Cardiovascular Devices

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NAMSA’s clinical research teams provide end‑to‑end support across every stage of clinical evidence generation for medical device development, from first‑in‑human through pivotal, human factors, and post‑market studies. Backed by global expertise, rigorous SOPs, and a fully integrated suite of services, we help sponsors generate high‑quality clinical evidence, streamline regulatory submissions, and accelerate time to commercialization. To explore our full clinical capabilities and global support model, visit our Clinical page.

Clinical research services we offer:

Why Cardiovascular Manufacturers Choose NAMSA as Their Preferred CRO

560

Clinical Trial Sites Managed

350+

Clinical Cardiovascular Projects in the Last 5 Years

140+

Active CRO Employees with Cardiovascular Experience

7,500+

Clinical Trial Subjects

NAMSA Expertise with Cardiovascular Devices

Cardiovascular device development is among the most demanding in all of MedTech: high-risk populations, complex endpoints, and intense regulatory scrutiny. NAMSA was built to help you navigate these challenges. Our cardiovascular team combines decades of hands-on trial execution with the regulatory, biostatistical, and clinical study strategy depth that Class III cardiovascular device manufacturers need from a single, accountable partner.

Clinical Expertise

Decades of cardiovascular trial experience, built into every project team

Cardiovascular clinical studies account for roughly 40% of NAMSA’s entire clinical study portfolio. That is not a coincidence — it reflects more than 55 years of focused investment in this therapeutic area. When you work with NAMSA, your study team is not staffed with generalists who rotate across therapeutic areas. Your clinical study manager, clinical research associates, data managers, safety monitors, and biostatisticians are professionals who run cardiovascular device trials every single day.

Site Network

A cardiovascular site network built for high risk, complex, difficult-to-enroll cardiovascular studies

Cardiovascular device trials fail on enrollment, not on science. Investigator sites that look good on paper often underperform because they lack scheduling flexibility, imaging infrastructure, or patient referral pipelines your study needs. NAMSA’s site qualification process is built specifically for cardiovascular complexity, finding the right site and the right investigator for you. We know which centers can execute, and we manage them relentlessly once they’re activated.

KOL Network

Cardiovascular KOLs who don’t just advise, they actively shape regulatory outcomes and clinical strategy

NAMSA’s cardiovascular Key Opinion Leaders are embedded in the work. They help sponsors refine trial strategy, anticipate FDA questions before they become deficiency letters, and connect programs to the broader cardiovascular clinical community.

End-to-End Clinical Research

One partner, one accountable team, from first protocol draft to final clinical study report

Cardiovascular sponsors who split their program across multiple vendors, one for study design, another for site management, another for biostatistics, another for data management, pay for it in miscommunication, rework, and timeline slippage. NAMSA provides every service a cardiovascular clinical program needs, integrated under a single project team with a single point of accountability. No hand-offs. No gaps. No vendor finger-pointing when something needs fixing.

Meet NAMSA’s Clinical Cardiovascular Experts

Meet All Our Experts
  • Adam E. Saltman, MD, PhD

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    Chief Medical Officer
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  • Corie Diaz, BA, MBA

    Corie Diaz
    Global Director, Clinical Operations
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  • Chris Mullin, MS

    Director, Global Strategy Services
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  • Tawnya J. Meier, MD

    A person with long gray hair with blonde and brown ends wearing a plum blazer
    Director of Safety
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  • Jeff Geschwind, MD

    A person with short black hair in a dark suit and blue tie with a blurred light blue and white background
    Medical Director–Oncology, Image-Guided Therapy, and Imaging Core Lab
    View Bio
  • Eric Bass, MS

    Smiling person in a dark suit and light blue shirt against a light background.
    Director, Global Data Sciences
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Selected Clinical Research Projects for Cardiovascular Devices

Our global clinical teams provide flexible support models, whether sponsors need targeted, à la carte services like monitoring, biostatistics, data management, imaging core lab, CEC/DSMB oversight, or fully comprehensive, end‑to‑end clinical trial execution. This depth of expertise has enabled NAMSA to support hundreds of cardiovascular clinical studies across multiple geographies and study types, including first‑in‑human, pivotal, human factors, and post‑market projects such as PMCF studies. To learn more about how our clinical outsourcing models can accelerate your program, visit our outsourcing and Functional Service Provider page.

Device TypeIndicationStudy TypeSubjectsSitesNAMSA Involvement
Large-Bore Vascular Closure Device Common Femoral Arterial Access Sites Pivotal 100+ 20 / US Study Design, Monitoring, Study Management, Site Management, Data Management, Safety, Imaging Core Lab, Biostatistics, Reimbursement Strategy   
LAA Closure System Atrial Fibrillation (AF) Pivotal 80+ 3 / EU Data Management, Biostatistics Safety, Imaging Core Lab  
Cryoablation Device Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) Pivotal 200+ 24 / US Monitoring, Study Management, Safety, Data Management, Site Management, Biostatistics 
Pulsed Field Ablation (PFA) Therapy Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (PAF) FIH 250+ 13 / EU Safety, Imaging Core Lab 
PTCA Drug Eluting Balloon Coronary Lesions in Small Vessels Pivotal 900+  84 / US, EU, LATAM Study Management, Site Management, Monitoring, Data Management, Safety 
Drug Eluting Stents (DES) Coronary Artery Disease Post-Market 2000+ 67 / US Study Management, Monitoring, Site Management 
PTCA Drug Eluting Balloon &  (DEB) Catheters Coronary ISR Pivotal 750+ 75 / US Study Management, Site Management, Monitoring, Data Management, Biostatistics, Safety 
Abdominal Aortic Stent Graft Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms (AAA) Post-Market 300+ 40 / US, EU Study Management, Site Management, Data Management, Biostatistics, Safety, Imaging Core Lab, Monitoring 
Thoracic Aortic Stent Graft Descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (DTAA) FIH 40+ 17 / EU  Study Management, Site Management, Data Management, Reimbursement, Monitoring, Imaging Core Lab 
Thrombectomy  Catheter Acute pulmonary embolism (PE) Pivotal 100+ 15 / US Study Management, Monitoring, Data Management, Safety, Biostatistics, Core Lab 
Venous Stent Deep Vein Thrombosis Pivotal 160+ 30 / US, EU Data Management, Safety, Monitoring, Study Management 
Peripheral Orbital Atherectomy Superficial femoral artery (SFA) Post-Market 100+ 12 / Japan Imaging Core Lab 
Transcatheter Heart Valves Tricuspid Regurgitation (TR) Pilot 60+ 20 / US Study Management, Monitoring, Data Management, Safety 
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement (TMVR) Severe Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation FIH 10+ 9 / US, CAN Study Management, Monitoring, Safety, Biostatistics 
Wireless-CRT Heart Failure Pivotal 300+ 90 / EU, Australia Study Management, Data Management, Biostatistics 

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NAMSA Experience Testing Cardiovascular Devices

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NAMSA is the pioneer of the medical device testing industry and continues to serve as the global leader for reliable medical device testing services. We have developed a reputation for excellence in biocompatibility, analytical chemistry, microbiology, and sterility testing, and every year more than 3,000 medical device companies trust us to ensure the safety and compliance of their devices.

Testing services we offer:

Why Cardiovascular Companies Trust NAMSA for Testing

157K+

Medical Device Tests Conducted Last Year

25K+

Bioburden Tests Conducted Last Year

15K+

Cytotoxicity Tests Conducted Last Year

13K+

Bacterial Endotoxin (LAL) Tests Conducted Last Year

Types of Tests We Conduct on Cardiovascular Devices

For cardiovascular devices, particularly implantable, blood‑contacting, or long‑term systems, NAMSA delivers integrated safety evaluations across biocompatibility, chemical characterization, microbiology, and sterility, aligned with the unique risks of the cardiovascular system.

  • Biocompatibility evaluations address hemocompatibility, thrombogenicity, and tissue response for stents, catheters, grafts, valves, and structural heart devices, in alignment with ISO 10993 expectations.
  • Chemical characterization programs define material composition, identify extractables and leachables, and support long‑term material stability for devices exposed to continuous blood flow.
  • Microbiology services mitigate contamination risk through tailored bioburden and endotoxin strategies designed for complex lumens and vascular pathways.
  • Sterility expertise supports robust sterilization validation approaches aligned with cardiovascular implant use and regulatory expectations.

Together, these capabilities provide a cardio‑focused testing strategy that reduces risk, supports regulatory expectations, and accelerates progress toward clinical use.

Meet NAMSA’s Testing Experts

Meet All Our Experts
  • Frédéric Cadoret, PhD

    Individual with short hair and beard, wearing a black top, against a plain background.
    Senior Study Director, Sterility Assurance
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  • Marie-Eve Cluzel-Valentin

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    Principal Biological Safety and Validation Scientist
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  • Shelley L. Green, BS

    Person with curly hair and glasses wearing a maroon top, smiling at the camera.
    Senior Validation Scientist
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  • Staci L. DeMoss, BS

    Principal Validation Scientist
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  • Don Pohl, BS

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    Principal Strategy Consultant, Biocompatibility
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  • Cayla Ruch, PhD, DABT

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    Toxicologist
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Compliance and Consulting Experience With Cardiovascular Devices

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From biological safety plans to FDA strategy and support, NAMSA has deep expertise in medical device compliance. Our extensive team of QA/RA and biological safety consultants, medical writers, scientists and market research experts all have first-hand experience with medical device industry manufacturers. They understand how to balance the benefit-risk ratio with the practicalities of regulatory compliance. Because NAMSA performs preclinical studies, clinical research and testing on thousands of medical devices and IVDs each year, our consultants come to each project with a well-informed sense of what the US FDA, European Notified Bodies and other national regulators expect.

Selected compliance services we offer:

Why Cardiovascular Companies Trust NAMSA

10

Consultants with Previous US FDA or EU Notified Body Experience

15+

Average Years of Experience of Regulatory Team

80%

Of All Recent Cardiovascular FDA PMAs Were Supported by NAMSA

100%

Of All Recent Cardiovascular FDA De Novos Were Supported by NAMSA

Premarket Strategy to Postmarket Support

NAMSA’s compliance services are designed to guide manufacturers through the full spectrum of global regulatory requirements, with a strong emphasis on submission strategy and readiness. Our regulatory experts, including former FDA and EU Notified Body staff, help clients develop clear, efficient pathways for 510(k), PMA, De Novo, IDE, MDR/IVDR, and international submissions, ensuring documentation, clinical evidence, and risk management plans align with regulator expectations. From early strategic planning through post‑market support, we provide the insight, structure, and cross‑functional alignment needed to navigate complex compliance landscapes and achieve timely, confident market entry.

US FDA  EU MDR/IVDRGeneral Regulatory
FDA Regulatory Strategy 
Pre-Submission Meetings 
510(k) Clearance 
Premarket Approval 
Investigational Device Exemptions  
De Novo Submissions 
 And more… 
MDR/IVDR Strategy  
Animal Tissue Consulting 
Clinical Evaluation Reports 
IVD Performance Evaluation Reports  
PMCF Plans, Surveys and Reports  
Summary of Safety and Clinical Performance  
And more… 
International Submissions 
Risk Management  
Postmarket Surveillance 
Literature Reviews 
Regulatory Remediation  
AI/SaMD Compliance Support  
Human Factors/Usability 
And more… 

Meet NAMSA’s Consulting Experts

Meet All Our Experts
  • Monica R. Montañez, MS, RAC, CQA

    Principal Strategy Consultant, Regulatory
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  • Andy J. Wyen, MS, DABT, LAT

    Smiling person in a checkered shirt with a blurred indoor background.
    Principal Toxicologist
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  • Carla M. Wiese, BS-Mech Eng

    Carla Wiese
    Principal Strategy Consultant, Regulatory
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  • Alfred Dibao-Dina, PhD, DABT, ERT

    Person smiling in a dark sweater and white shirt against a gray background.
    Biological Safety Scientist
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  • Jane Arnold-Round, MSc

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    Senior Principal Consultant, Regulatory
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  • Phillip Smiraldo, PhD, DABT

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    Principal Toxicologist
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