Altaviva

Many women struggle daily with bladder control issues. They always know where the nearest bathroom is so they can go quickly if needed, or stop frequently while traveling (or give up traveling altogether). Spending a significant amount of money on bladder protection pads or garments is a standard item in their budget expenses. Often they feel that leaking urine is just a part of aging, and that there is nothing that can be done to help. Please know that there ARE treatments available, and you do not have to live with urinary incontinence.

I am very excited about a new device called Altaviva. It is a small implant that is placed just above the inner ankle bone. This is done as an outpatient surgical procedure under local anesthesia – no general anesthesia or “going to sleep” needed. The implanted device sends electrical impulses to the tibial nerve. These impulses travel up to the nerve network that coordinates how the bladder and brain communicate with each other. As communication improves, bladder function can then improve. Altaviva is specifically for symptoms of urinary urge incontinence (UUI), the type of leakage that occurs when you can’t get to the bathroom in time. Eighty percent of women who have the Altaviva implant reported improvement in their bladder symptoms.

My dear mother-in-law fell and broke her hip in 2018, and that ultimately resulted in her death. Her fall was a result of her having to rush to get to the bathroom because she was dealing with urinary urge incontinence. I wish that the Altaviva implant had been available while she was alive, things might have been different for her. I want women to know that there are treatments available for bladder leakage, and to help them find the best one for them.

If you are dealing with bladder issues and would like to explore your options, please call The Jackson Clinic at (731) 422-0213 to schedule an appointment with me. We can discuss your symptoms and find the best treatment plan for you.

Blessings,

Lisa W. Rogers, MD, FACOG

^* MRI compatibility is subject to certain conditions. See approved labeling for details.

^† Based on clinical and bench testing for expected therapy settings

1. Li X, Li X, Liao L. Mechanism of action of tibial nerve stimulation in the treatment of lower urinary tract dysfunction. Neuromod. 2023;27:256–266. 
2. Bhide AA, Tailor V, Fernando R, Vik K, Digesu GA. Posterior tibial nerve stimulation for overactive bladder - techniques and efficacy. Int Urogynecol J. 2020;31:865–70. 
3. Appendix B: Clinical Study Summary. M028929C001 RevC - Clinician Therapy and Programming Guide Altaviva™ Model P7850N. 
4. Peters KM, Carrico DJ, et al. Randomized trial of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus sham efficacy in the treatment of overactive bladder syndrome: results from the SUmiT trial. J Urol. 2010;183:1438–1443. 
5. Peters KM, MacDiarmid SA, Wooldridge LS, et al. Randomized trial of percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation versus extended-release tolterodine: results from the overactive bladder innovative therapy trial. J Urol. 2009;182(3):1055–1061. 
6. Kobashi K, Nitti V, Margolis E, et al. A prospective study to evaluate efficacy using the NURO percutaneous tibial neuromodulation system in drug-naïve patients with overactive bladder syndrome. J Urol. 2019;131:77–82. 
7. Rogers A, Bragg S, Ferrante K, et al. Pivotal study of leadless tibial nerve stimulation with eCoin for urgency urinary incontinence: an open-label, single arm trial. J Urol. 2021;206:399–408. 
8. Heesakkers JPFA, Toozs-Hobson P, Sutherland SE, et al. A prospective study to assess the effectiveness and safety of the BlueWind system in the treatment of patients diagnosed with urgency urinary incontinence. Neurourol Urodyn. 2024;43:1491–1503. 
9. M028930C001 RevC - Altaviva™ Model P7850N Neurostimulator Implant Manual. 
10. M028949C001 RevC - MRI Guidelines for Altaviva™ Neurostimulator

Medtronic Altaviva™ tibial neuromodulation system treats urge urinary incontinence (leakage). It should be used after you have tried other treatments such as medications and behavioral therapy, and they have not worked or you could not tolerate them.  

This therapy is not for everyone. The Altaviva™ system is contraindicated (not allowed) for patients who are poor surgical candidates including patients with open wounds, sores, or damaged skin near the treatment area; current or recent history of poor blood circulation in the legs or open sores on the legs from circulation problems; physical changes or previous surgeries where the Altaviva™ device is placed. You must be able to operate or receive assistance in operating the system to be a candidate.  

This therapy is not intended for patients who: are not good candidates for surgery or have conditions that make it hard to heal from wounds (such as uncontrolled diabetes, swelling in the lower leg, or nerve problems in the leg); have metal implanted within 5 cm of where the Altaviva™ device would be placed; have a current or unresolved blockage in the urinary tract caused by things like an enlarged prostate, cancer, or urethral narrowing; are allergic to any materials in the Altaviva™ device. The Altaviva™ system may affect or be affected by other implanted medical devices, including pacemakers and defibrillators. Talk to your doctor if you have a pacemaker or other implanted devices. You cannot have diathermy (deep heat treatment using shortwave or microwave electromagnetic energy) if you have an Altaviva™ device. Do not place the charger or ankle band on broken or unhealed skin. Safety and effectiveness have not been established for pregnancy; patients under the age of 18; patients with progressive, systemic neurologic disease; patients with history of urinary retention, or bilateral stimulation.  

In addition to risks related to surgery, complications can include pain at the implant site or lower leg pain, infection, wound complications, nerve injury, movement of the implant, undesirable change in bowel or bladder function, uncomfortable or unintended stimulation sensations, unexpected shocking sensation, loss of therapeutic effect, discomfort when recharging, or technical or device problems.

This therapy is not for everyone. This treatment is prescribed by your doctor. Please talk to your doctor to decide whether this therapy is right for you. Your doctor should discuss all potential benefits and risks with you. Although many patients may benefit from the use of this treatment, results may vary.  

For complete safety information about this treatment, please visit the Medtronic website at [url=http://www.medtronic.com]http://www.medtronic.com[/url].

USA Rx Only. Rev 0925