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Positive Trial Outcome for PulseSelect PFA Likely to Boost MDT Stock

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Medtronic plc (MDT - Free Report) has shared late-breaking clinical trial results for its PulseSelect Pulsed Field Ablation (“PFA”) system, demonstrating a high rate of durable lesion formation in treating atrial fibrillation (Afib). The findings were presented at the Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society meeting held in Sydney, Australia.

The widespread adoption of PulseSelect also continues, with more than 10,000 cases having been performed worldwide.

Predicting MDT Stock Movement Following the News

After the announcement, Medtronic shares rose 0.2% in Friday’s after-hours trading to close at $89.32. The latest developments are likely to boost its Cardiac Ablations Solutions business within the Cardiovascular Portfolio. As cutting-edge technologies like PFA transform AFib treatment, Medtronic’s extensive investment and development efforts position it well to capitalize on this opportunity. We expect market sentiment toward MDT stock to continue to remain positive surrounding this news.

Medtronic boasts a market capitalization of $115.12 billion. Its earnings yield of 6.1% outpaces the industry average of 0.7%. In the last reported quarter, the company delivered an earnings beat of 2.5%.   

More on Medtronic’s Favorable Trial Results

A total of 25 AFib patients with persistent or paroxysmal AFib (undergoing pulmonary vein isolation with the PulseSelect PFA System) were evaluated. Invasive remapping conducted approximately two months post ablation demonstrated durable isolation in 98% of PVs, and 96% of patients had all veins isolated. All index ablation procedures were conducted using intracardiac echocardiography and electroanatomical mapping without fluoroscopy.

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General anesthesia was used in 24 of 25 patients, and all patients were discharged on the same day. The average skin-to-skin procedure time was 36 minutes. Acute PV isolation was achieved in 100% of patients. There were no complications during an average follow-up of 74 days.

Medtronic Expands Global Footprint of PulseSelect PFA

In the Asia Pacific region, PulseSelect PFA has received regulatory approvals in China and Australia and has been launched in Japan following the recent reimbursement approval. Per a Medtronic representative, these important results address the key durability issue and add to the system’s growing real-world evidence.

With its proven safety, efficacy, efficiency and now durability as well, PulseSelect PFA serves as a valuable tool for physicians for the treatment of patients with AFib — one of the most common and undertreated heart rhythm disorders affecting more than 60 million people worldwide.

Industry Prospects Favoring MDT

Per a Research report, the global AFib devices market was valued at $3 billion in 2023 and is expected to witness a compound annual rate of 14.3% by 2033. The rising prevalence of AFib and demand for related products are expected to boost the market's growth. Advancements are making devices more user-friendly and efficient for patients and medical personnel.

Developments in MDT’s Cardiovascular Portfolio

In May 2024, Medtronic’s Affera Mapping and Ablation System with Sphere-9 Catheter achieved endpoints for safety and efficacy in the treatment of AFib. The SPHERE Per-AF study, an FDA Investigational Device Exemption pivotal trial, compared Sphere-9 to the conventional Thermocool SmartTouch SF radiofrequency ablation catheter with the Carto 3 System.

MDT Stock Price Performance

In the past three months, MDT shares have climbed 15.8% compared with the industry’s 12.8% growth.

MDT’s Zacks Rank and Key Picks

Medtronic currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

Some better-ranked stocks in the broader medical space are Boston Scientific (BSX - Free Report) , AxoGen (AXGN - Free Report) and Phibro Animal Health (PAHC - Free Report) , each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

Boston Scientific’s shares have risen 57.8% in the past year. Estimates for the company’s earnings per share have remained constant at $2.40 in 2024 and $2.71 in 2025 in the past 30 days. BSX’s earnings beat estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, delivering an average surprise of 7.2%. In the last reported quarter, it posted an earnings surprise of 6.9%.

Estimates for AxoGen’s 2024 loss per share have remained constant at 1 cent in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have surged 175.8% in the past year compared with the industry’s growth of 22.7%. AXGN’s earnings surpassed estimates in each of the trailing four quarters, with the average surprise being 96.5%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 200%.

Estimates for Phibro Animal Health’s 2024 earnings per share have risen 0.7% in the past 30 days. Shares of the company have surged 73.3% in the past year compared with the industry’s 24.2% growth. PAHC’s earnings surpassed estimates in three of the trailing four quarters and missed on one occasion, with the average surprise being 4.1%. In the last reported quarter, it delivered an earnings surprise of 20.6%.


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