Cooper University Health Care is the first hospital in New Jersey to treat complex abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with the new Chimney EndoVascular Aneurysm Sealing (ChEVAS™) System. Recently, Joseph Lombardi, MD, FACS, head of the Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and a vascular surgeon, performed this sealing procedure on a patient at Cooper.
Joseph V. Lombardi, MD, FACS
“As the region’s leading academic health system, we are committed to investigating and implementing the most advanced technology and procedures to benefit our patients,” said Dr. Lombardi. “The ChEVAS system is the first therapy of its kind that can help those who suffer from complex abdominal aortic aneurysm, which can often be the most life-threatening or debilitating types of aneurysm.”
The aorta is the body’s main artery, carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is an enlarged and weakened section, or “ballooning” of the aorta below the renal arteries that may require treatment to prevent it from bursting and causing serious internal bleeding.
Patients diagnosed with an AAA can be treated with open surgical repair or via a less invasive Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). Fortunately, many patients benefit from minimally invasive (endovascular) repair of the aorta using special stents that create a new pathway for blood flow away from the aneurysm.
The Chimney EndoVascular Aneurysm Sealing (ChEVAS™) System is an investigational endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) sealing therapy designed to combine the Nellix® 3.5 endograft with parallel visceral stents to enable treatment of patients with complex AAA. The principal investigators of the ChEVAS ONE study, which recently closed, included renowned surgeons from around the globe, including Dr. Lombardi, here at Cooper.
In July, the ChEVAS System was granted a Breakthrough Device Designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The FDA Breakthrough Devices Program gives patients more timely access to medical devices that may provide for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating diseases or conditions. Breakthrough Devices receive priority review by FDA, and the program provides opportunities for early interaction with FDA personnel to expedite the review and approval process.
“The innovative sealing technology featured in the ChEVAS system is designed to reduce endoleaks, including gutter endoleaks that can occur in about 15 to 25 percent of patients who receive endovascular treatment of complex aneurysms,” said Dr. Lombardi. “By reducing these endoleaks, we are improving patient outcomes, and offering these underserved patients a chance for a faster recovery with less complications.”
About The Cooper Vascular and Endovascular Surgery Program
The Division of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Cooper University Health Care provides highly specialized, life-saving treatment options to patients with vascular (blood vessel) disorders. At Cooper, the region’s leading academic health system, our experts educate and train the next generation of physicians, surgeons, and other health professionals. As a major center of research, we are on the forefront of pioneering new and more effective medical treatments. In the past 10 years alone, Cooper’s vascular and endovascular surgeons have completed more than 25 clinical trials, published more than 500 peer-reviewed research papers, presented at more than 500 national international lectures, and educated many future vascular surgeons at our nationally renowned medical school.
Cooper University Health Care was also rated a high-performing hospital for abdominal aortic repair in U.S. News and World Report’s 2021-2022 Best Hospitals survey.
About Endologix
Endologix LLC is a California-based, global medical device company dedicated to improving patients’ lives by providing innovative therapies for the interventional treatment of vascular disease. Endologix’s therapeutic portfolio includes a variety of products in various stages of development that are designed to treat diseases that currently have clinically relevant unmet needs. These products are meant to treat a wide spectrum of vascular disease from abdominal aortic aneurysms to lower limb peripheral vascular disease. Excellent clinical outcomes will be achieved through meticulous attention to product design, manufacturing, and training, all backed by industry-leading clinical evidence. Endologix’s abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) products are built on one of two platforms: Traditional minimally invasive endovascular aneurysm repair (“EVAR”) and endovascular aneurysm sealing (“EVAS”), which is investigational product. Endologix’s current commercial EVAR products include the AFX®2 device and the ALTO® Abdominal Stent Graft System. Endologix became a private company, wholly owned by Deerfield Management on Oct. 1, 2020. The company has offices and manufacturing sites in Irvine and Santa Rosa. To learn more about Endologix, please visit http://www.endologix.com/.
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Wendy A. Marano
Public Relations Manager
marano-wendy@cooperhealth.edu
Office: 856.382.6463
Cell: 856.904.1688