This thoracoabdominal repair procedure using Thoracoflo™ was carried out by Dr Randy Moore, Co-Director of the Calgary Complex Aortic Program at the University of Calgary in Canada. Dr Moore and the team at University of Calgary were supported by Professor Sabine Wipper, Chair of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Innsbruck, Austria, who continues to be a key contributor to the development of the device. Dr Moore was able to access the device through the Health Canada Special Access program and this represents a further important stage in the development of this unique device to treat a broader range of patients who are not suitable for treatment with an off-the-shelf product. The lead center in Europe for this unique hybrid procedure is the University Heart Center in Hamburg, under the direction of Professor Sebastian Debus.

Dr Randy Moore commented: “This unique hybrid graft was designed through Terumo Aortic’s custom device program, specifically for the patient we were treating. With no other device with similar technology currently available globally for thoracoabdominal aortic repair, the Thoracoflo™ graft is designed to reduce the risk of complications associated with thoracotomy and extracorporeal circulation. This is the first time the device has been implanted in North America; it was easy to implant, and the procedure was uneventful and straightforward. The patient is recovering well with no complications post-operatively.”

John Canning, Chief Technology and Marketing Officer at Terumo Aortic said: “This expansion into North America represents a significant commitment to developing patient specific solutions to treat a wider group of patients as part of our comprehensive surgical, endovascular and hybrid portfolio.”

Thoracoflo™ incorporates a combination of Terumo Aortic’s proven Gelweave™ woven polyester grafts and unique ring-stent technology to address the patient’s specific anatomy.