Less-Invasive Option for Aneurysm Repair

An endovascular graft system treats abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) by using a catheter-based delivery device to place a permanent graft that reinforces the wall of the aorta in the affected area. The system, called Lifepath AAA, has received the CE Mark for use in Europe.

The Lifepath system accesses and repairs the aneurysm from within the aorta, rather than involving a major incision that exposes most of the body's internal organs. As a result, the endovascular procedure is less traumatic and invasive to patients than conventional aortic repair surgery, according to the developer, Edwards Lifescience Corp. (Irvine, CA, USA). In April 2000, the company voluntarily suspended U.S. clinical trials after discovering that the inner wireform had fractured in two implanted devices. Following this, Edwards said it conducted a thorough review, redesign, and testing before seeking the CE Mark on the current version.

"We are pleased to have met the necessary European regulatory milestones for our next-generation Lifepath AAA system and to be offering this potentially life-saving therapy to patients even sooner than we had expected,” said Stuart L. Foster, vice president for technology and discovery at Edwards.




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