Nectero Medical has discovered first-of-its-kind Nectero EAST System to treat infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) with a diameter range of 3.5 to 5.0 cm.
The Nectero EAST System is intended to address early-stage, small to mid-sized aneurysms, with the goal of potentially preventing the need for more invasive procedures in the future. Treating these aneurysms at this stage may help reduce the risk of complications, morbidity, and mortality associated with AAA disease.
This system consists of a dual-balloon delivery catheter and a stabiliser mixture containing pentagalloyl glucose (PGG). The PGG is delivered locally into the aneurysmal wall, where it binds to elastin and collagen, strengthening the aortic vessel wall. This strengthening effect could potentially reduce the risk of further degradation of the aneurysm.
The procedure using the Nectero EAST System is minimally invasive and does not require specialised tools. It can be completed in less than an hour. The advantage of this approach is that it leaves no permanent implant behind, and it does not preclude any future interventions if needed.
If successful, the Nectero EAST System could offer patients with smaller AAAs a therapeutic option beyond surveillance, which is the current standard practise for monitoring small aneurysms.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms are a significant health concern, affecting over a million Americans. Each year, approximately 60,000 individuals undergo treatment for AAAs, and complications from this condition lead to around 10,000 deaths in the United States annually.
Traditional treatments are typically reserved for larger AAAs (greater than 5.0/5.5 cm in diameter), symptomatic patients, or rapidly expanding aneurysms. Smaller AAAs are commonly monitored through serial ultrasound or CT surveillance. Patients with small and mid-sized aneurysms face an annual risk of rupture, which can range from 0.5 percent to 5 percent.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has officially granted the breakthrough therapy designation to the nectero endovascular aneurysm stabilization treatment (Nectero EAST®) system, for the treatment of patients diagnosed with infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs).
