Newly-published data on the benefits of a dedicated vascular limb salvage clinic, key product launches in the vascular access space, and evidence to suggest dual screening for lung cancer and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) could save lives all feature in our top 10 most read stories of March 2021.
1. Study shows that dual screening for lung cancer and AAA could save lives
A study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery reveals that approximately 11% of patients diagnosed with lung cancer concurrently have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). Researchers theorise dual screening could save lives.
2. Multicentre, physician-initiated study set to provide key data on bridging stents in FEVAR
This advertorial is sponsored by Bentley.
There are numerous covered stents on the market that are used as bridging stents in fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair (FEVAR). However, these stents have always been used off-label for such procedures. Now, a physician-initiated study, in cooperation with Bentley, is set to change that.
3. Medtronic launches Chameleon PTA balloon catheter in selected countries
Medtronic announced the launch of its Chameleon percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) balloon catheter in the following countries: Germany, Italy, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Turkey. The device is indicated for use in native or synthetic arteriovenous dialysis fistulae, as well as femoral, iliac, and renal arteries.
4. Less than a quarter of aortic centres meet optimal open AAA repair volume threshold in new study
In an assessment of open aortic surgery by the International Consortium of Vascular Registries (ICVR), 13–16 procedures per year predicted the most significant reduction in mortality after intact open abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. However, researchers found that only 23% of centres across 11 countries met the ≥13 procedures per year volume threshold, with considerable variation between nations.
5. Renal artery involvement in EVAR linked to permanent dialysis and lower survival
Renal artery involvement (RAI) in endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is “highly predictive of the need for postoperative and permanent dialysis,” Anastasia Plotkin (University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA) and colleagues write in the Journal of Vascular Surgery. They also report that RAI without revascularisation is associated with lower overall survival.
The first detailed surgical results from the UK National Health Service (NHS) Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Programme (NAAASP) show that, over a seven-year period, the turn down rate after referral for treatment with a screen-detected AAA and perioperative mortality were low. However, the data also reveal that there remains “considerable” variation between local screening programmes in the proportion undergoing endovascular repair.
7. Cardiovascular Systems announces acquisition of peripheral support catheters From WavePoint Medical
Cardiovascular Systems announced that it has acquired a line of peripheral support catheters from WavePoint Medical. Peripheral support catheters are used during peripheral vascular intervention procedures for guidewire support to enable lesion crossing, as well as for guidewire exchanges.
One-year outcomes of patients with chronic-limb threatening ischaemia (CLTI) treated in an outpatient-based vascular limb salvage clinic show an improved rate of major amputation. This conclusion was recently published in the European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery.
9. Medtronic launches IN.PACT AV DCB in Japan for patients undergoing haemodialysis
Medtronic has announced the launch of IN.PACT AV drug-coated balloon (DCB) in Japan. IN.PACT AV DCB is indicated for the treatment of obstructive lesions up to 100mm in length in the native arteriovenous (AV) dialysis fistulae in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) undergoing haemodialysis. It is the first DCB to be approved in Japan for this vessel bed.
10. FDA grants breakthrough device designation for Zenith fenestrated+ endovascular graft
The Zenith fenestrated+ endovascular graft (ZFEN+) product (Cook Medical) has received breakthrough device designation from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This designation is granted for devices that have the potential to provide more effective treatment or diagnosis for life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions.
