A growing number of Americans are finding themselves grappling with heart break, literally.
According to the CDC, every year over 1.2 million people are rushed to the hospital due to heart trouble.
And in the most severe instances, only heart valve replacement surgery can correct the problem.
On the plus side, this surgery has been very successful with some studies finding it effective in 98% of all cases.
But on minus side, it’s an extremely traumatic surgery that requires at least 4 days in the hospital to recover and weeks at home.
Image if there were a way to replace heart valves without having to go through the trauma?
Guess what, it's coming!
A new device from Medtronic called the Melody system promises to do exactly that - -- replace heart valves - but with a tiny little incision in your leg that doesn't even need a stitch, just a Band-Aid.
The procedure would be minimally invasive and as for recovery time – forget about it - you'd go home the next day.
Right now, the technology is at its infancy. The Medtronic device can only help a small number of patients - adults and children with a rare type of congenital heart defect.
However, it's a giant leap forward for so-called transcatheter valves. And Medtronic expects the technology to open up a $2 billion market over the next 5 years as it revolutionizes the way doctors operate.
Read More:
> Fast Personal Pt. 1: Meds For The Masses
> Fast Personal Pt. 2: Plastic Profits - The Business Of Beauty
> Fast Personal Pt. 3: Rise Of Robotic Surgeons
> Fast Personal Pt. 4: New Skinny On Diet Pills
*Luke Bauer contributed to this report
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Trader disclosure: On June 25, 2010, the following stocks and commodities mentioned or intended to be mentioned on CNBC’s Fast Money were owned by the Fast Money traders; Kinahan owns (C); Kinahan owns (WFC) and short puts; Kinahan owns (AMTD); Kinahan owns (AXP); Kinahan is short (SPY) options; Finerman and Finerman’s Firm owns (AAPL); Finerman’s Firm owns (AEO); Finermans’ Firm owns (ANF); Finerman’s Firm owns (BAC) stock and calls; Finerman and Finerman’s Firm own (BAC) preferred; Finerman and Finerman’s Firm owns (BBY); Finerman owns (BP) calls; Finerman and Finerman’s Firm owns (C); Finerman and Finerman’s Firm own (CVS); Finerman owns (GLW); Finerman & Finerman’s Firm owns (GOOG); Finerman & Finerman’s Firm owns (HPQ); Finerman & Finerman’s Firm owns (IBM); Finerman & Finerman’s Firm owns (JPM) stock & calls; Finerman’s firm owns (PM); Finerman’s Firm owns (RIG); Finerman’s Firm owns (TGT); Finerman’s Firm owns (WMT); Finerman’s Firm is short (IJR); Finerman’s Firm is short (IWM); Finerman’s Firm is short (MOY); Finerman’s Firm is short (SPY); Edwards owns (PM)
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