Heart Valve Trial Results

Aortech International PLC
4 October 2000


                     AORTECH INTERNATIONAL PLC
                                 
                                 
               NEW SYNTHETIC TRI-LEAFLET HEART VALVE
                           TRIAL RESULTS


AorTech  International  plc,  the Scottish-based  manufacturer  of
cardiovascular devices, announces the explanted results of its new
Tri-Leaflet Heart Valve.

The  valves have now been explanted from the first in vivo  trials
and have shown excellent results in respect of their haemodynamics
and  biostability.  A paper on the results was  presented  at  the
European  Association  for  Artificial Organs  in  Switzerland  in
September.

Professor Wheatley, who presented the paper on the results of  the
studies at the European Association for Artificial Organs said:

'These  explanted  valves,  which have  been  made  from  the  new
biostable   Elast-Eon   material   have   demonstrated    superior
haemodynamics  to  bioprostethic valves and  have  improved  blood
compatibility  retaining  flexibility and  haemodynamic  function.
These  biostable  heart valves offer the prospect  of  a  clinical
valve  with prolonged function.  I look forward to AorTech's final
development stages of this exciting project to bring forward a new
generation of heart valves'.

Professor   David  Wheatley,  Past  President  of   the   European
Association  for  Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, 1998-99,  Professor  of
Cardiac   Surgery,  Glasgow  University,  and  Consultant  Cardiac
Surgeon  was  lead  partner  in the U.K.  Universities  Consortium
involved in the project until June 2000.

Eddie McDaid, Managing Director of AorTech, said:

'The results confirm the excellent progress that AorTech is making
in  the  development of our New Synthetic Tri-Leaflet Heart Valve.
Our  intention is to develop the next generation heart  valve  and
overcome the disadvantages inherent in both mechanical and  tissue
valves  and  these results reflect the continued progress  towards
our goal'.

                                                    4 October 2000
Enquiries:
AorTech International plc                    01698 746699
Eddie McDaid, Managing Director

College Hill                                 020 7457 2020
Michael Padley / Nicholas Nelson

                                 
Copies of this statement will be available for a period of 14 days
               form the Company's registered office:
 Phoenix Crescent, Strathclyde Business Park, Bellshill, Scotland
                              ML4 3NU