A Medical Device Daily

Medtronic (Minneapolis) reported that it has received FDA approval of the AneuRx AAAdvantage abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) stent graft with Xcelerant delivery system. AneuRx AAAdvantage is a next-generation, minimally-invasive device that treats dangerous bulges in the aorta that can rupture without warning. Stent graft therapy reduces recovery times and potentially improves survival rates, the company said.

The AneuRx AAAdvantage system offers physicians a low profile for ease of use and a wider range of lengths and diameters. Enhancements to the new AAAdvantage system include: potentially broader proximal and distal sealing areas due to longer aortic bodies, longer and larger straight iliac limbs, and flared iliac limbs and extensions; improved radiopaque markers; and contoured stents.

Medtronic said the enhancements will provide greater patient applicability, help reduce the complexity of the procedure and upgrade the durability of the stent graft. Additional enhancements are planned for the near future.

The AneuRx AAAdvantage system builds on the original AneuRx AAA system, which has been available in the U.S. since 1999. More than 55,000 patients have received AneuRx stent grafts.

“Because of our experience, we've been able to design a stent graft system that gives physicians more control during implantation and additional options to help provide this life-saving treatment to more patients,“ said Katie Szyman, vice president and general manager of the Endovascular Innovations business of Medtronic Vascular.