Medtronic Launches Steerant Aortic Guidewire for EVAR and TEVAR Procedures

June 17, 2024 — Medtronic launched the Steerant Aortic Guidewire, tailored to facilitate catheter placement and exchange during diagnostic or interventional procedures in the aorta. The first EVAR case was performed by Dr. Naiem Nassiri, MD, FSVS, RPVI, vascular surgeon with The Vascular Care Group, Darien, CT at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, CT.  Dr. Patrick E Muck, MD, vascular surgeon with TriHealth Heart Institute, Cincinnati, OH performed the first TEVAR case at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, OH.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are minimally invasive procedures to treat abdominal, and many thoracic, aortic aneurysms. An aneurysm, an abnormal bulge or ballooning in the wall of a blood vessel, can burst which causes bleeding inside the body and often leads to death.[1]

“Aneurysms are extremely serious, so it is beneficial to have treatment options that are minimally invasive and offer fast recovery. When completing an endovascular repair procedure, it is of the utmost importance to leverage devices that prioritize patient safety,” said Naiem Nassiri, MD, FSVS, RPVI, vascular surgeon, The Vascular Care Group.

“Guidewires are the backbone of the aortic procedure, facilitating tracking through patient anatomy and delivering the stent graft to the landing zone. The ideal wire is a balance of deliverability with patient safety,” said Patrick Muck, MD, vascular surgeon, TriHealth Heart Institute.

The Steerant Aortic Guidewire is offered in lengths tailored for EVAR (200 cm, 260 cm curved) and TEVAR (260 cm double curved) procedures. The guidewire’s 15 cm soft, atraumatic tip gradually transitions to a stiff main body, providing protection for fragile aortic anatomy along with the support needed for device deployment.[2] The gradual stiffness transition provides balanced control in straightforward and challenging anatomy while the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating provides smooth device delivery.2

“We are excited to offer an innovative device for aortic procedures that provides the right balance of stiffness and trackability while also supplying the right length and control for physicians. We look forward to rolling out the Steerant device to clinicians treating aneurysms across the United States and Canada,” said Simona Zannetti, MD, Medtronic General Manager, Aortic.

About Medtronic Steerant Aortic Guidewire

The Medtronic Steerant aortic guidewire is a PTFE-coated stainless steel guidewire designed to be just right for aortic procedures. The guidewire has a 0.035 in (0.89 mm) diameter. It is offered in 200 cm and 260 cm lengths and incorporates a flexible tip section and inner 8 cm radiopaque spring for enhanced visibility. The super stiff guidewire is offered in single- and double-curve tip configurations.

For more information: www.medtronic.com

References:

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aneurysms/symptoms-causes/syc-20354633#:~:text=An%20aneurysm%20is%20an%20abnormal,aneurysms%20may%20not%20cause%20symptoms.

[2] Bench test data on file at Medtronic. May not be indicative of clinical performance.