FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. (March 3, 2016) – At the Houston Aortic Symposium today, W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of the GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE), making it the first off-the-shelf aortic branch device approved in the United States and the only device indicated for the endovascular treatment of common iliac artery aneurysms or aortoiliac aneurysms. The first-of-its-kind device is a complete, fully engineered system (Gore designed iliac branch and internal iliac components), which received CE Mark in 2013.

The device is used in conjunction with the GORE® EXCLUDER® AAA Endoprosthesis to isolate the common iliac artery from systemic blood flow and preserve blood flow in the external iliac and internal iliac arteries. The device is built on Gore’s technology platform and designed using the same durable, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) graft and nitinol stent material.

The IBE offers an All-in-One System with improved outcomes for the treatment of iliac artery aneurysms while preserving flow to the iliac arteries, which is the recommended treatment by vascular surgery societies to sustain patient quality of life. Preservation of blood flow in the internal iliac arteries is found to avoid pelvic flow disruption and reduce the rate of buttock claudication, sexual dysfunction, and colonic ischemia.

“Historically, options to preserve flow to the internal iliac arteries during endovascular aneurysm repair were very limited despite the involvement of the iliac arteries in about 25 percent of AAA cases,” said Darren Schneider, MD, Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery and Associate Professor of Surgery at Weill Cornell Medicine and Principal Investigator for the national GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Device Clinical Study.* “However, through our research and the subsequent FDA approval, physicians now have a new therapeutic option to preserve pelvic perfusion in order to improve clinical outcomes and maintain patient quality of life.”

The IBE system provides a treatment range of 6.5-13.5 mm for the internal iliac arteries, and a treatment range of 6.5-25 mm for the external iliac arteries. The delivery profile of the loaded catheter allows the use of a 16 Fr introducer sheath for the iliac branch component, and a flexible 12 Fr, reinforced introducer sheath for the internal iliac component.

The GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Device Clinical Study, a prospective, multicenter, non-randomized, single-arm study designed to assess the safety and effectiveness of the IBE in treating common iliac artery aneurysms or aortoiliac aneurysms, completed enrollment in February 2015. A total of 62 patients received the device, which met the FDA required enrollment of 60 patients. The trial also enrolled an additional 32 patients through Continued Access (as of February 15, 2016), which expanded treatment options to allow for bilateral placement of the IBE in addition to unilateral IBE device placement, which was evaluated in the Primary Enrollment.

“FDA approval of this device is extremely important as it provides an iliac branch solution for a patient group with a previously unmet treatment need,” said Ryan Takeuchi, Gore Aortic Business Leader. “The GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Device has demonstrated high patency, conformability, and durability and provides physicians with an on-label, minimally invasive method of preserving flow to the internal and external iliac arteries. Not only is IBE the first off-the-shelf aortic branch device approved in the United States, it is a part of a complete portfolio of aortic branch solutions that are currently in clinical evaluation.”

The IBE is part of the growing family of GORE® EXCLUDER® Device products that share a mission to effectively treat aortic aneurysms through minimally invasive means, backed by Gore’s highly rated clinical support team and comprehensive educational offerings.

* Dr. Schneider also serves as a paid consultant to W. L. Gore & Associates.

At Gore Medical, we have provided creative therapeutic solutions to complex medical problems for 40 years. During that time, 40 million innovative Gore Medical Devices have been implanted, saving and improving the quality of lives worldwide. Our extensive family of products includes vascular grafts, endovascular and interventional devices, surgical meshes for hernia and soft tissue reconstruction, staple line reinforcement materials, and sutures for use in vascular, cardiac, and general surgery. We are one of a select few companies to appear on all of the U.S. “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984. For more information, visit www.goremedical.com.

Products listed may not be available in all markets. GORE®, EXCLUDER®, and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. AU1160-EN1 FEBRUARY 2016

This two-and-a-half day live educational symposium, which was the ninth in an annual series, presents and discusses the diagnosis and treatment paradigms for aortic diseases, including medical, endovascular, surgical, and hybrid options. A faculty of leading experts from around the world presents and debates the most important topics in aortic disease March 3-5, 2016 at the Westin Oaks in Houston, Texas.

In conjunction with and proceeding the symposium, an "Advanced Skills Workshop for Cardiothoracic Fellows" took place Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at the Methodist Institute for Technology, Innovation, and Education (MITIE) and the DeBakey Institute for Cardiovascular Education and Training (DICET), Houston, Texas.

Information on the 2017 “Houston Aortic Symposium” and “Advanced Skills Workshop,” will be available on www.houstonaorticsymposium.com in the coming months.

Chempetitive Group for W. L. Gore & Associates
Andrea Vuturo
+1 312 997 2436
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