Novel Therapeutic Solution for Aortic Aneurysms

An innovative solution facilitates the endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in patients with challenging anatomies.

The Gore Excluder Conformable AAA endoprosthesis is made of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft material and a nitinol stent, and relies on an active control system (ACS) which allows physicians to angle the device for optimal conformability and maximal seal in the proximal aortic neck. The Excluder is characterized by its low profile, flexible on and off catheter characteristics, and active infrarenal fixation, which provides the physician with a proven and durable option to better treat a broader range of patients diagnosed with abdominal aortic aneurysms.


Other features include proprietary low profile sleeve technology, a repositionable delivery system, and a simple three-stage deployment procedure. The Gore Excluder Conformable AAA endoprosthesis is a product of Gore Medical Products (Flagstaff, AZ, USA), and is intended for patients with proximal aortic neck angles of up to 90 degrees with a minimum aortic neck length of 15 mm, and in patients with proximal aortic neck angles of up to 60 degrees with a minimum aortic neck length of 10 mm.

“In order to qualify for EVAR, the patient had to fit a fairly narrow subset of anatomical criteria,” said Robert Rhee, MD, chief of vascular and endovascular surgery at Maimonides Medical Center (New York, NY, USA). “The Gore Excluder Conformable AAA endoprosthesis will expand the applicability of EVAR to patients traditionally considered to have anatomy too challenging for endovascular treatment.”

“With the Gore Excluder conformable device, our EVAR solutions will offer the broadest treatment range of any supplier in the market,” said Ryan Takeuchi, aortic business unit leader at Gore. “The feedback received on this new product suggests a high level of interest from physicians seeking to treat challenging AAA anatomies. As we scale up operations to meet this demand, we look forward to bringing this valuable product to patients and physicians.”

AAA is the localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta exceeding the normal diameter by more than 50%, and is the most common form of aortic aneurysm; approximately 90% occur below the kidneys. The aneurysms can extend to include one or both of the pelvic iliac arteries. The major complication of AAA is rupture, which is life-threatening, as large amounts of blood spill into the abdominal cavity, and can lead to death within minutes. Mortality during rupture repair in the hospital is 60-90%.

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