The first commercial implant of the AFX2 bifurcated endograft system (Endologix) in the USA has been performed at Main Medical Center in Portland. The implantation was performed by Paul Bloch, associate professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, and vascular surgeon at Main Medical Center.
Bloch comments, “We are excited to be the first hospital to offer the unique benefits of the AFX2 system to patients in the US. The enhanced delivery system provides improved visibility during device deployment and facilitates an overall faster and easier procedure. The procedure was a success and post-procedure imaging confirmed that we achieved accurate placement and seal of the aneurysm.”
Sean Lyden, chairman of Vascular Surgery, Dan Clair, chairman emeritus, both of the Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA, performed their first procedure with AFX2, and comment, “The AFX2 system combines the unique clinical benefits of anatomical fixation with an easier to use, lower-profile delivery system. We are pleased to be amongst the first users of the new AFX2 system, and are excited to offer this next-generation system to our patients.”
AFX2 is designed to reduce procedure steps for the delivery and deployment of the bifurcated endograft. The new device should also facilitate percutaneous endovascular aneurysm repair (PEVAR), by providing the lowest profile contralateral access through a 7F introducer. According to a company release, these improvements bring together Endologix’s ActiveSeal technology, DuraPly ePTFE graft material and VELA Proximal Endograft, into an integrated new EVAR system.
John McDermott, chief executive officer of Endologix, says, “We are very pleased with the first AFX2 procedures in the US, and gratified that the patients’ aneurysms have been successfully treated….We expect to continue with a limited market introduction of AFX2.”
