First patients treated with Endologix Nellix in Japan

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Two patients in Japan have been treated with the Nellix endovascular sealing system (EVAS, Endologix) for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

These first two cases were treated under Japan’s “compassionate use” system, which allows physicians to use medical treatments not yet approved in the country for patients diagnosed with advanced diseases, who are not responding to existing treatment options.

The procedures were performed by Toru Kuratani, chairman of the Department of Minimally Invasive Cardiovascular Medicine at Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan.

Kuratani comments, “The unique aneurysm sealing technology of the Nellix system presents a significant opportunity to treat AAA patients that previously had no other treatment options. Type II endoleaks occur in over 30% of our EVAR cases in Japan and this device is excellent solution for prevention of this endoleak. In addition, Nellix is very well positioned to treat the anatomical challenges associated with Asian patients, including difficult iliac anatomy. The first two procedures were completed as planned, and the initial imaging confirms that Nellix effectively sealed and treated the AAAs. We look forward to treating more AAA patients under Japan’s compassionate use system.”

The Nellix EVAS System is a new generation of AAA therapy designed to seal the entire aneurysm sac. It is the first and only EVAS product, developed to reduce all types of endoleaks and improve and long-term patient outcomes. Nellix is an investigational device in the USA.