Vascular surgery team performs aortic repair with newly approved device
UC Davis Health is one of the first sites nationwide to treat thoracic aortic disease using a minimally invasive endovascular graft
(SACRAMENTO)
UC Davis Health vascular surgeons are among the first in the country to treat patients with thoracic aortic disease by using a groundbreaking thoracic endovascular graft that is known to improve outcomes.
Patients treated with the graft can expect improved safety and healing compared to traditional surgical procedures.
UC Davis Medical Center is one of the first sites nationwide to have commercial access to the Zenith Alpha® 2 Thoracic Endovascular Graft and the first hospital in Northern California to utilize the endovascular treatment.
“We are excited to utilize this novel device for patients’ complex anatomic restrictions,” said Andrew Barleben, director of the UC Davis Aortic Center and the surgeon who performed the first procedure at UC Davis. “This next-generation device may allow us to offer procedures with lower risk of stroke than previously.”
About thoracic aortic disease
Thoracic aortic disease, also known as a thoracic aortic aneurysm, is a weak spot in the aorta, the main pipeline for blood from the heart to the body. The weak spot has the potential to dissect or rupture, cutting off the supply of life-sustaining blood to the rest of the body.
Aortic diseases can affect people at any age. Patients with aortic disease usually have no symptoms and are unaware of the changes in their aorta. Often, the diagnosis is made incidentally through imaging tests such as chest X-rays, CT scans, or echocardiograms performed for other reasons.
Current nonsurgical treatments include lifestyle changes like exercise, diet, smoking cessation, and stress management. Patients also require regular imaging of the aorta and careful management of blood pressure.
Patients needing an aorta repair may undergo open heart surgery or a less-complicated stent procedure like TEVAR.
What is TEVAR?
TEVAR is a minimally invasive procedure to repair the aorta, a major blood vessel and the largest artery of the body, which carries blood from the heart to the circulatory system.
During a TEVAR procedure, a stent graft is placed through a small hole in the patient’s groin. The graft is made of a fabric-covered metal mesh that is fully opened under X-ray. The device repairs the diseased aorta and helps to keep it open and allow blood to flow properly to the rest of the body.
The new thoracic endovascular graft is thinner and easier for vascular surgeons to use, which benefits patients with challenging anatomies.
“This minimally invasive approach helps to prevent stroke in a novel way during deployment of the endograft, which improves patient safety and the healing process,” said Barleben.
“This minimally invasive approach helps to prevent stroke in a novel way during deployment of the endograft, which improves patient safety and the healing process.”—Andrew Barleben
A leader in TEVAR
UC Davis Health has been a leader in thoracic endovascular aortic repair throughout this decade. In addition to being one of the first hospitals to utilize the Zenith Alpha® 2 Thoracic Endovascular Graft, the medical center’s vascular team was the first in the University of California health system to implant the GORE® TAG® Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis when it was approved by the FDA in 2022.
“Being one of the first centers in the country to offer this novel system is a testament to our outstanding team-based approach to patient care,” said Misty D. Humphries, interim chief of vascular surgery. “Our vascular surgery team is among the best and most comprehensive in the nation. Our mission of providing complete, efficient and high-quality care to the patients we care for is what drives us to lead the field.”
