Emory the Only Site in Georgia for Trial of New Branched Aortic Stent Graft
JANUARY 2013
Emory University vascular surgeon and associate professor of surgery Dr. Ravi Veeraswamy is the local PI of a multi-center, FDA-approved clinical trial for a new stent graft designed as a minimally invasive option for patients with juxtarenal (JAA) and pararenal (PAA) aortic aneurysms. Sponsored by Endologix, Inc., the trial will evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Ventana Fenestrated System for these patients. Emory is the only site in Georgia for the trial.
"Early clinical experience outside of the United States with the device has been promising," says Dr. Veeraswamy. "Until now, there has not been an 'off the shelf' graft that could treat these complex aneurysms that involve the renal arteries. We had to burn holes in existing grafts, which is obviously less than ideal, or have customized devices made by the graft companies for each patient, which takes time, labor, and expense."
Open repair for patients with JAA or PAA—who represent approximately 20 percent of AAA patients—can result in significant blood loss, complication rates, and long hospital stays.
"Open surgical repair of JAA or PAA is one of the most invasive procedures we perform," says Dr. Veeraswamy. "We're hopeful this new device will permit a less invasive treatment to be extended to a much larger group of patients."
The distinguishing characteristics of the Ventana system include a main column intended to protect the aorta and exclude the aneurysm from blood flow, and two branched renal stent grafts that are inserted through the main device and into the renal arteries to maintain blood flow to the kidneys.
