Maimonides Medical Center President and CEO Kenneth D. Gibbs today joined W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. (Gore) in announcing the first implant of the newest GORE® EXCLUDER® in a patient with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)—complicated by the patient’s challenging anatomy.
The historic surgery was performed on December 19, 2017 by Dr. Robert Rhee, Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery at Maimonides, and Principal Investigator of the National Clinical Trial of this potentially life-saving device.
“Our Board of Trustees and leadership are pleased and proud today. We applaud Dr. Rhee and pledge our continued support of our physicians as they continue to provide state-of-the-art solutions to the most complex medical and surgical problems—right here in Brooklyn,” said Mr. Gibbs.
“We’re grateful for the support of our leadership and colleagues,” said Dr. Rhee. “It’s especially gratifying to offer our patients and their families a life-saving option for the very first time. My entire team would like to thank our partners at Gore for enabling us to deliver this important breakthrough to our critically-ill AAA patients with atypical anatomies.”
“This implant is the latest step in our continuing efforts to offer the broadest and most technically advanced endovascular treatment capabilities on the market,” said Eric Zacharias, Vascular Business Leader at W. L. Gore & Associates. “Through collaboration with our physician partners, we were able to develop what they demanded—a device that can treat more challenging anatomies.”
Before the development of this next generation of the GORE® EXCLUDER® Device, “Patients whose anatomy did not match the ‘typical’ profile had limited options,” explained Dr. Rhee. “Thankfully, we now have the potential solution for patients like Alexander Ingman who are critically ill and unable to fully participate in life’s activities because of their aneurysms.”
Mr. Ingman, a 77-year-old retired machine tool engineer, was limited by several health issues when he enrolled in the GORE® EXCLUDER® Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis *clinical trial at Maimonides Medical Center. He was unable to do much for himself and his spirits were low. “I didn’t think I would ever be active again,” he said.
Now, after receiving the device,*Mr. Ingman already feels stronger and has a new lease on life. He looks forward to spending more time doing many of the things he loves to do with friends and family.
“This is a game-changer, and only a superb vascular team could bring this level of excellence to our patients,” said Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chair of Surgery at Maimonides. “We’re incredibly proud to have our own Chief of Vascular Surgery, Dr. Robert Rhee, leading this important trial.”
“Patients and doctors will be spreading the word—the Heart & Vascular Institute at Maimonides is still at the forefront of innovation after more than a century,” added Mr. Gibbs.
Prior to the development of this device, a small but significant number of AAA patients could not undergo endovascular repair due to variations in their anatomy. The GORE® EXCLUDER® Conformable AAA Endoprosthesis,* however, is intended to bring state-of-the-art vascular care to these complex situations—and new hope to many patients suffering with this life-threatening condition.
This new device is part of a clinical study approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Its purpose is to investigate the safety and effectiveness of a stent graft system designed to provide endovascular repair (EVAR) with angulation control to patients previously considered untreatable.
AAA patients and their physicians can learn more about this breakthrough study by going here on the Gore website, or here on the Maimonides website, or by calling 718-283-7957 to make an appointment.
About Gore Medical Products Division
Gore Medical Products, a division of W. L. Gore & Associates, engineers devices that treat a range of cardiovascular and other health conditions. With more than 40 million medical devices implanted over the course of more than 40 years, Gore builds on its legacy of improving patient outcomes through research, education and quality initiatives. Product performance, ease of use and quality of service provide sustainable cost savings for physicians, hospitals and insurers. Gore is joined in service with clinicians and through this collaboration we are improving lives. www.goremedical.com.
*GORE® and EXCLUDER® are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates.
About Maimonides Medical Center
Maimonides Medical Center is nationally recognized for clinical excellence across all major specialties. Our accomplished physicians are known for innovation and strengthening our teaching and research programs. With 711 beds, the Medical Center is dedicated to bringing patients the most advanced care available—anywhere. Maimonides continues to grow in response to evolving models of care that better serve patients and families, and is an affiliate of Northwell Health. To learn more, please visit http://www.maimonidesmed.org.
