Premier Vascular Surgeons Investigate Breakthrough Treatment of Aneurysms
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
A Premier Vascular Services surgeon has enrolled the first patient in the nationwide VITALITY clinical study. The study involves implanting a Talent Abdominal Stent Graft, which is a device from Medtronic that is designed for the endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms.
George A. Pliagas, M.D., a board-certified general surgeon with Premier Surgical Associates, performed the p
rocedure at St. Mary's Medical Center on Dec. 29.
According to Dr. Pliagas, an aortic aneurysm is a dangerous bulge or weakening in the body's main artery that can rupture with fatal consequences if left untreated. Abdominal aortic aneurysms - the most common type - are responsible for approximately 15,000 deaths in the U.S. annually.
The Talent Abdominal Stent Graft has been used internationally for more than 12 years, and has been implanted in more than 45,000 patients. "This study will gather clinically relevant data on the safety and efficacy of the device in real-world U.S. patient population," Dr. Pliagas says. "Internationally, the device has an excellent track record. It is known to be accurate, durable and easy to use, and I expect that U.S. physicians will have similar sentiments as it gains broader market acceptance."
VITALITY will enroll 260 patients and follow them for five years. "St. Mary's is one of only 20 initial sites across the country participating in the study," Dr. Pliagas says. "These sites were selected based on their experience in the field of aneurysm repair. We have enrolled four patients so far and hope to enroll a maximum of 17 patients."
In addition to Dr. Pliagas, other physicians with Premier Surgical Associates participating in the study are Donald L. Akers Jr., M.D.; Willard B. Campbell, M.D.; and Christopher W. Pollock, M.D.
"Participation in this study reinforces St. Mary's and Premier's aim to always stay in the forefront of medical technology," Dr. Plaigas says. "An example of this is the hybrid endovascular suite in the OR at St. Mary's, which was built specifically to accommodate abdominal and thoracic aneurysm repair as well as other vascular procedures.
"With this new technology, we are able to treat 90 percent of all aneurysms endovascularly-which means shorter hospital stays, faster recovery time, less blood loss and less pain," he adds. "High risk patients who otherwise could not tolerate the old-fashioned procedure have benefited from this new device."