Endurant stent graft treats aneurysm in abdominal aorta

By: Scott Roberts 
HealthDay Reporter 

TUESDAY, Dec. 21 (HealthDay News) -- Medtronic's Endurant AAA Stent Graft system, designed to treat a bulge in the largest abdominal blood vessel, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the company said Tuesday.

An aneurysm is a bulging portion of a blood vessel that threatens to rupture. Some 1.2 million people have an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which typically causes no symptoms, Medtronic said in a news release. About 70 percent to 90 percent of such patients die if the aneurysm ruptures, the company added.

The newly approved device is a flexible wire frame sewn into a fabric tube. It's implanted in the weakened portion of the aorta, reducing pressure on the aneurysm and diminishing the risk of rupture.

The device is delivered via catheters that are inserted in blood vessels in the groin, Medtronic said.

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