Medtronics has developed a new and valiant stent graft system for minimally invasive repair of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm (TAAA).
A TAAA causes swelling of the aorta, which extends from the chest into the abdomen.
TAAA typically affects the branch arteries that supply blood to various internal organs. The condition accounts for approximately 15 per cent of all thoracic aneurysms.
The standard of care for TAAA is open surgery, which is complex and known to cause high morbidity and mortality, and 40per cent of patients are not considered eligible for treatment.
The stent is intended to offer an off-the-shelf endovascular solution for treating the condition.
The US Food and Drug Administration has granted breakthrough device designation to the graft system.
Currently, the device is being evaluated in five physician-sponsored trials for the treatment of patients with TAAA in the US.
