Via Vascular News
Leaders in heart and vascular surgery, UT Health Science Center Houston Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery team, Anthony Estrera MD, FACS, and Bruce Tjaden Jr. MD, in collaboration with W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore), recently announced the first successful implant of the only endovascular stent graft specifically designed to treat Type A dissections of the ascending aorta. The successful procedure took place on August 14, 2018 at Memorial Hermann Medical Center in Houston, Texas as part of the Gore ARISE Study.
“Type A aortic dissection is a tear in the lining of the ascending aorta, above the heart, that creates a second channel of blood flow. It is an emergent condition that requires immediate surgery upon diagnosis,” as described by Liz DeForest with Bliss Integrated Communication for Gore Medical. This condition typically relies on a surgical procedure where the surgeon must crack the patient chest, spread the two halves of the rib cage, and temporarily stop the heart and restrict blood flow. Subsequently, this standard procedure comes with a lengthy recovery road for the patient. By utilizing the new device and tool, Drs. Estrera and Tjaden were able to successfully, and minimally invasively, implant the GORE Ascending Stent Graft. This device consists of a precise delivery system that allows for accurate and meticulous placement of the graft – especially in complex anatomies.
“There is a great need for a less-invasive treatment option for Type A dissections, which are fatal for nearly half of all sufferers within 48 hours of onset,” Dr. Anthony Estrera said. “I’m excited that Gore is breaking ground in this area with the development of the first endovascular device specifically designed to meet the anatomical, curvature, and deployment precision requirements unique to the ascending aorta. This device, upon approval, could provide a treatment option for Type A dissection patients who aren’t suitable for open surgery and a less-invasive treatment for all patients with this condition.”
The UT Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery are pleased to be a part of this monumental step in the delivery of complex, urgent, and wildly evolving healthcare tools and equipment. As we spearhead these advancements, we continue to look forward for ongoing future developments
-Caliann Ferguson