Feb 11 (Reuters) - Edwards Lifesciences ( EW ) beat

analysts' estimate for fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, helped

by strong demand for its artificial heart valves and other

medical devices.

Investors remain bullish on medical device makers, expecting

them to benefit from still-high demand for surgical procedures,

especially from older adults.

Last week, larger peer Boston Scientific ( BSX ) forecast

its annual profit above Wall Street estimate, banking on steady

demand for heart devices.

Edwards bought heart device makers JenaValve Technology and

Endotronix in deals valued at about $1.2 billion in July, as it

looks to become a pure-play structural heart company.

The company's lead product, transcatheter aortic valve

replacement (TAVR) device, is used for minimally invasive heart

surgeries.

Sales from the TAVR unit rose nearly 6% to $1.04 billion in

the quarter ended December 31, compared with analysts' average

estimate of $1.01 billion, according to LSEG data.

Edwards has also been facing stiff competition for its TAVR

devices from Abbott, Boston Scientific ( BSX ) and Medtronic ( MDT )

.

The company expects its first-quarter adjusted profit to be

between 58 cents and 64 cents, compared with the estimate of 59

cents.

On an adjusted basis, California-based Edwards earned 59

cents per share for the fourth quarter, beating the estimate of

55 cents.

Its revenue rose 9% over the year earlier to $1.39 billion.

The company also reiterated its adjusted profit forecast for

2025 at $2.40 to $2.50 per share.