Evaluation of Safety and Effectiveness of the EMBLOK EPS During TAVR

A Prospective, Randomized, Multicenter Evaluation of the Safety and Effectiveness of the EMBLOK Embolic Protection System During Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement

The objective of the study is to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and performance of the EMBLOK EPS during TAVR by randomized comparison with a commercially available embolic protection device. The targeted study population consists of patients meeting FDA-approved indications for TAVR with commercially available transcatheter heart valve systems.

This prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial will enroll up to a total of 532 subjects undergoing TAVR at up to 30 investigational sites in the United States. All subjects will undergo clinical follow-up (including detailed neurological assessments) in-hospital and at 30 days.

Study Overview

• Status: Active, not recruiting
• Conditions: Aortic Valve Stenosis; Aortic Valve Disease; Aortic Valve Insufficiency; Aortic Valve Replacement
• Intervention / Treatment: Device: EMBLOK™ Embolic Protection System ("EMBLOK EPS"); Device: SENTINEL™ Cerebral Protection System

Detailed Description

Embolic stroke remains a major complication for TAVR, resulting in a two-fold increase in 1-year mortality. Embolic protection devices have been developed to filter embolic debris during the procedure, potentially reducing the occurrence of neurologic events associated with TAVR. The EMBLOK EPS may improve on currently available devices by capturing and retrieving debris directed toward all 3 cerebral vessels in the aortic arch as well as the descending aorta.

The objective of the study is to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and performance of the EMBLOK EPS during TAVR by randomized comparison with a commercially available embolic protection device. With this comparator device, the left subclavian artery and descending aorta are not protected.

The targeted study population consists of patients meeting FDA-approved indications for TAVR with commercially available transcatheter heart valve systems.

This prospective, multicenter, single-blind, randomized controlled trial will enroll up to a total of 532 subjects undergoing TAVR at up to 30 investigational sites in the United States.

Prior to enrollment of the first randomized subject at each site, each site will enroll 2 Roll-In subjects (up to 60 subjects total), who will not be randomized but will receive the EMBLOK EPS during TAVR.

In the randomized cohort, up to 422 subjects meeting eligibility criteria will be randomized 1:1 (stratified by operative risk and study site) to one of two treatment arms:

1. Intervention - EMBLOK EPS during TAVR
2. Control - SENTINEL CPS during TAVR

In addition, a nested registry will enroll up to 50 subjects who meet clinical eligibility criteria and are anatomically suitable for the EMBLOK EPS, but whose anatomy precludes the use of the SENTINEL CPS.

All subjects will undergo clinical follow-up (including detailed neurological assessments) in-hospital and at 30 days.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 532
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • Arizona
    • Chandler, Arizona, United States, 85224
      • Dignity Health Chandler Regional Medical Center
  • California
    • Orange, California, United States, 92868
      • St Joseph's Providence
    • Sacramento, California, United States, 95816
      • Sutter Medical Center Sacramento
    • Santa Barbara, California, United States, 93105
      • Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital
    • Thousand Oaks, California, United States, 91360
      • Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center
  • Connecticut
    • Hartford, Connecticut, United States, 06106
      • Hartford Hospital
  • District of Columbia
    • Washington, District of Columbia, United States, 20010
      • Medstar Washington Hospital Center
  • Illinois
    • Oak Lawn, Illinois, United States, 60453
      • Advocate Christ Medical Center
  • Iowa
    • Iowa City, Iowa, United States, 52242
      • University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics
  • Kansas
    • Wichita, Kansas, United States, 67226
      • Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
  • Louisiana
    • Houma, Louisiana, United States, 70360
      • Cardiovascular Institute of the South
  • Massachusetts
    • Boston, Massachusetts, United States, 02114
      • Massachusetts General Hospital
  • Michigan
    • Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States, 48109
      • University of Michigan
    • Detroit, Michigan, United States, 48202
      • Henry Ford Hospital
    • Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States, 49503
      • Corewell Health
  • Missouri
    • Saint Louis, Missouri, United States, 63110
      • University of Washington School of Medicine Barnes Jewish Hospital
  • Oklahoma
    • Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States, 73112
      • Integris Baptist Medical Center
  • Pennsylvania
    • Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, United States, 17101
      • UPMC Pinnacle Harrisburg
    • Wynnewood, Pennsylvania, United States, 19091
      • Lankenau Medical Center
  • Texas
    • Houston, Texas, United States, 77030
      • The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
    • Plano, Texas, United States, 75093
      • Baylor Scott and White The Heart Hospital Plano- Baylor Institute of Research
    • San Antonio, Texas, United States, 78229
      • Methodist Hospital
  • Virginia
    • Norfolk, Virginia, United States, 23507
      • Sentra Norfolk General Hospital

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years to 90 years (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Clinical Eligibility Criteria:

Clinical Inclusion Criteria:

Subjects must meet ALL the following criteria to be eligible for participation in the study:

1. Subject is between 18 and 90 years of age.
2. Subject meets FDA approved indications for TAVR procedure on a native aortic valve using an iliofemoral approach with a commercially approved transcatheter heart valve.
3. Female subjects of childbearing potential must have a negative serum or urine pregnancy test within 48 hours prior to the index study procedure.
4. Subject agrees to comply with all protocol-specified procedures and assessments.
5. Subject or subject's legal representative signs an IRB approved informed consent form prior to study participation.

Clinical Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects will be excluded if ANY of the following criteria apply:

1. Subjects with a previously implanted aortic or mitral valve bioprosthesis
2. Subjects with hepatic failure (Child-Pugh class C).
3. Subjects with hypercoagulable states that cannot be corrected by additional periprocedural heparin.
4. Subjects who have a planned treatment with any other investigational device or procedure during the study period.
5. Subjects planned to undergo any other cardiac surgical or interventional procedure (e.g., concurrent coronary revascularization) during the TAVR procedure or within 10 days prior to the TAVR procedure. NOTE: Diagnostic cardiac catheterization is permitted within 10 days prior to the TAVR procedure.
6. Subject has experienced an acute myocardial infarction (World Health Organization [WHO] criteria) within 30 days of the planned index procedure.
7. Subject requires an urgent or emergent TAVR procedure.
8. Subjects with renal failure (estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate [eGFR] < 30 mL/min by the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease [MDRD] formula).
9. Subject has documented history of stroke or transient ischemic attack within prior 6 months, or any prior stroke with a permanent major disability or deficit.
10. Subject has an ejection fraction of 30% or less.
11. Subject has a sensitivity to contrast media that cannot be adequately pre-treated.
12. Subject has known allergy or hypersensitivity to any embolic protection device materials (e.g., nickel-titanium) or allergy to intravascular contrast agents that cannot be pre-medicated
13. Subject has active endocarditis or an ongoing systemic infection defined as fever with temperature > 38°C and/ or white blood cell > 15,000 IU.
14. Subjects undergoing therapeutic thrombolysis.
15. Subject has history of bleeding diathesis or a coagulopathy or contraindications to anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy.
16. Subject is known or suspected to be pregnant, or is lactating.
17. Subject is currently participating in another drug or device clinical study, or has other medical illnesses that may cause the subject to be non-compliant with the protocol or confound the data interpretation.

Anatomic Eligibility Criteria:

General Anatomic Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects meeting any of the following criteria will not be eligible for participation in the study:

1. Non-iliofemoral approach for is required for the TAVR system (e.g., trans-axillary, trans-subclavian, trans-brachiocephalic, trans-carotid, trans-apical or trans-aortic access for TAVR is required).
2. Subject peripheral anatomy is not compatible with contralateral iliofemoral access with an 11 French catheter (e.g., due to excessive tortuosity, stenosis, ectasia, dissection, or aneurysm).
3. Ascending aorta length (from the site of filter placement to the aortic root) less than 7.5 cm.
4. Diameter of the aorta at the intended site of Emblok filter deployment proximal to the brachiocephalic artery ostium is less than 25 mm or greater than 40 mm.
5. Subjects with severe peripheral arterial, abdominal aortic, or thoracic aortic disease that precludes delivery sheath vascular access.
6. Subjects in whom the aortic arch is heavily calcified, severely atheromatous, or severely tortuous.

Additional Anatomic Exclusion Criteria:

Subjects with any of the following criteria will be excluded from participation in the Randomized Cohort, but are eligible for participation in the Roll-In and Nested Registry cohorts (provided they meet all other eligibility criteria):

1. Diameters of the arteries at the site of filter placement are < 9 or > 15 mm for the brachiocephalic artery or < 6.5 or >10 mm in the left common carotid.
2. Brachiocephalic or carotid vessel with excessive tortuosity.
3. Compromised blood flow to the right upper extremity, or other conditions that would preclude 6 Fr radial or brachial vascular access (e.g., excessive tortuosity)
4. Arterial stenosis >70% in either the left common carotid artery or the brachiocephalic artery.
5. Brachiocephalic or left carotid artery reveals significant stenosis, ectasia, dissection, or aneurysm at the aortic ostium or within 3 cm of the aortic ostium.

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Prevention
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Double

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: EMBLOK™ Embolic Protection System; Device Description: The EMBLOK™ Embolic Protection System ("EMBLOK EPS") is a sterile, single use system designed to capture and remove debris (e.g., thrombus, calcium, atheroma) dislodged during transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. The device is currently for investigational use only. When Device Will Be Used: Roll-in: Prior to enrollment of the first randomized subject at each site, each site will enroll 2 Roll-In subjects, who will not be randomized but will receive the EMBLOK EPS during TAVR. Randomized: Up to 422 subjects meeting eligibility criteria will be randomized 1:1. The experimental "intervention" arm is utilizing EMBLOK EPS during TAVR (up to 211 subjects). Nested registry: Up to 50 subjects who meet clinical eligibility criteria and are anatomically suitable for the EMBLOK EPS, but whose anatomy precludes the use of the SENTINEL CPS.	Device: EMBLOK™ Embolic Protection System ("EMBLOK EPS"); The EMBLOK EPS is intended to capture and remove thrombus/debris while performing transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures.
Active Comparator: SENTINEL™ Cerebral Protection System; Device Description: The control comparator is the commercially-available SENTINEL™ Cerebral Protection System ("SENTINEL CPS") (Boston Scientific Corp., Marlborough, MA, US), a dual-filter protection device designed to capture and remove debris dislodged during TAVR procedures. The SENTINEL CPS is indicated for use as an embolic protection device to capture and remove thrombus/debris while performing TAVR procedures. The diameters of the arteries at the site of filter placement should be between 9.0 mm - 15.0 mm for the brachiocephalic and 6.5 mm - 10.0 mm in the left common carotid. When Device Will Be Used: In the randomized cohort, up to 422 subjects meeting eligibility criteria will be randomized 1:1 (stratified by operative risk and study site). The active comparator "control" arm is utilizing SENTINEL CPS during TAVR (up to 211 subjects).	Device: SENTINEL™ Cerebral Protection System; The SENTINEL CPS is intended to capture and remove thrombus/debris while performing transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incidence of the composite of all-cause mortality, all stroke (disabling or non-disabling) and transient ischemic attack (TIA), and Acute Kidney Injury Stage 2 or 3 (including renal replacement therapy), according to VARC-2 definitions	The primary safety and efficacy endpoint is combined safety and efficacy at 30 days, defined as a composite of the following VARC-2 defined components: All-cause mortality; All stroke (disabling or non-disabling) and transient ischemic attack (TIA); Acute Kidney Injury Stage 2 or 3 (including renal replacement therapy)	Evaluated at 30-day post-procedure (TAVR) follow-up visit
Debris capture, defined as the average number of captured particles ≥150 µm in diameter, as assessed by independent histologic analysis	The co-primary filtration efficacy endpoint is debris capture, defined as the average number of captured particles ≥150 μm in diameter, as assessed by independent histologic analysis.	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Incidence of the composite of all-cause mortality, all stroke (disabling or non-disabling) and transient ischemic attack (TIA), and Acute Kidney Injury Stage 2 or 3 (including renal replacement therapy), according to VARC-2 definitions	Combined safety and efficacy is defined as a composite of the following VARC-2 defined components, evaluated post-procedure and in-hospital: All-cause mortality; All stroke (disabling and non-disabling) and transient ischemic attack (TIA); Acute kidney injury - Stage 2 or 3 (including renal replacement therapy)	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up until 7 days post procedure, which ever occurs first.
Incidence of all-cause mortality (VARC-2 defined), subclassified as cardiovascular or non-cardiovascular mortality	Mortality (VARC-2 defined), evaluated in-hospital, defined as: • All-cause mortality; Cardiovascular mortality; Non-cardiovascular mortality	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up until 7 days post procedure, which ever occurs first.
Incidence of stroke (sub-classified as ischemic, hemorrhagic, or undetermined, and as disabling or non-disabling) and TIA, according to VARC-2 and NeuroARC definitions	Neurological Events (VARC-2 and NeuroARC defined); Stroke (sub-classified as ischemic, hemorrhagic, or undetermined, and as disabling or non-disabling); TIA	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up to 7 days post-procedure, and at the 30 day follow-up visit.
Incidence of acute kidney injury (AKIN classification), subclassified as stage 1, 2, or 3	Acute Kidney Injury (AKIN Classification); AKI Stage 1; AKI Stage 2; AKI Stage 3	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up to 7 days post-procedure, and at the 30 day follow-up visit.
Incidence of life-threatening or disabling bleeding and major bleeding (VARC-2 defined)	Bleeding Complications (VARC-2 defined); Life-threatening or disabling bleeding; Major bleeding	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up to 7 days post-procedure, and at the 30 day follow-up visit.
Incidence of major vascular complications	Vascular Complications • Major vascular complications	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up to 7 days post-procedure, and at the 30 day follow-up visit.
Incidence of the composite of all stroke (disabling or non-disabling) and transient ischemic attack (TIA), and Acute Kidney Injury Stage 2 or 3 (including renal replacement therapy), and systemic embolization	Major adverse embolic events (MAEE) MAEE will be reported as a composite and components [evaluated post-procedure and in-hospital]: All stroke (disabling and non-disabling) or TIA; Acute kidney injury (Stage 2 or 3, including RRT); Systemic embolization	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up until 7 days post procedure, which ever occurs first.
Prevalence of captured embolic debris, as assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory	Gross and histologic evaluation of captured embolic debris, including particle presence, will be assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory.	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Number of captured particles, as assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory	Gross and histologic evaluation of captured embolic debris, including particle count, will be assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory.	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Diameter of captured particles (in mm), as assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory	Gross and histologic evaluation of captured embolic debris, including particle size, will be assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory.	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Material composition of captured particles, as assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory	Gross and histologic evaluation of captured embolic debris, including particle composition, will be assessed by an independent Pathology Core Laboratory.	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Neurocognitive Measures: NIHSS assessment	NIHSS worsening, defined as an increase of 2 or more points from baseline, assessed on the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (scores range from 0 to 42; higher scores mean worse outcome).	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up to 7 days post-procedure, and at the 30 day follow-up visit.
Neurocognitive Measures: MoCA assessment	MoCA worsening, defined as a decrease of 2 or more points from baseline, assessed on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (scores range from 0 to 30; higher scores mean better outcomes).	Evaluated immediately after the intervention/procedure, up until discharge from hospital or up to 7 days post-procedure, and at the 30 day follow-up visit.
Rate of successful device delivery to the site of filter placement and successful deployment of the device	Secondary Performance Endpoint: • Successful device deployment, defined as ability to successfully deliver the device to the site of filter placement and successfully deploy the device.	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Rate of successful device positioning followed by maintenance of positioning for the duration of the TAVR procedure, as assessed by an independent Angiographic Core Laboratory	Secondary Performance Endpoint: • Successful device positioning, defined as ability to position the device and to maintain the device in place for the duration of the TAVR procedure (as assessed by an independent Angiographic Core Laboratory)	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Rate of successful retrieval of the intact device	Secondary Performance Endpoint: • Successful device retrieval, defined as ability to retrieve the device intact	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Rate of successful deployment, positioning, and retrieval of the device	Secondary Performance Endpoint: • Device success, defined as successful deployment, positioning and retrieval	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)
Rate of successful deployment, positioning, and retrieval of the device without embolic protection device-related serious adverse events	Secondary Performance Endpoint: • Procedure success, defined as device success in the absence of in-hospital embolic protection device-related serious adverse events	Evaluated at the time of the TAVR procedure (during the intervention/procedure)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Emblok, Inc.
• Collaborators: Yale Cardiovascular Research Group
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Hemal Gada, MD, Heart and Vascular Institute, UPMC Pinnacle

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Actual): October 17, 2023
• Primary Completion (Actual): May 6, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): October 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: February 21, 2022
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: March 15, 2022
• First Posted (Actual): March 25, 2022

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): August 6, 2025
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: August 1, 2025
• Last Verified: June 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Cardiovascular Diseases; Heart Diseases; Heart Valve Diseases; Ventricular Outflow Obstruction; Aortic Valve Disease; Aortic Valve Stenosis; Aortic Valve Insufficiency
• Other Study ID Numbers: CLP 001-2021

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: NO

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: Yes
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No