Leading Heart Valve Therapy Edwards is the number-one heart valve company in the world, credited with pioneering replacement heart valves and valve repair therapies, and we continue to refine and advance our technologies. In  2001 , we further solidified our leadership position in heart valves through the steady adoption of our Carpentier-Edwards mitral PERIMOUNT Pericardial Bioprosthesis, the first biomechanically engineered tissue valve developed specifically for the mitral position. The mitral PERIMOUNT valve and its aortic counterpart are the most widely prescribed tissue heart valves in the world, and continue to drive the shift from mechanical valves to tissue valves. Edwards’ PERIMOUNT valves are preferred for their excellent durability and clinical performance, and are the only pericardial tissue valves supported by published data in excess of  15 and  17 years in the mitral and aortic positions, respectively. The long-term durability of Edwards’ PERIMOUNT valves is increasingly making them the valve of choice for younger patients who wish to maintain their active lifestyles.