Medtronic’s Steerant Aortic Guidewire Is Launched for EVAR and TEVAR Procedures

June 17, 2024—Medtronic announced the launch of the Steerant aortic guidewire. The device is designed to facilitate catheter placement and exchange during diagnostic or interventional procedures in the aorta, including endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic EVAR (TEVAR) of an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

According to Medtronic, Steerant is a super stiff guidewire offered in single- and double-curve tip configurations. The 15-cm soft, atraumatic tip gradually transitions to a stiff main body, providing protection for fragile aortic anatomy along with the support needed for device deployment.

The company stated that the device is available in lengths tailored for EVAR (200 cm, 260 cm curved) and TEVAR (260 cm double curved). The polytetrafluoroethylene-coated stainless steel guidewire has a 0.035-inch (0.89-mm) diameter and incorporates a flexible tip section and an inner 8-cm radiopaque spring for enhanced visibility.

Medtronic also reported that that the first EVAR procedure using the device was performed by Naiem Nassiri, MD, at Norwalk Hospital in Norwalk, Connecticut. Dr. Nassiri is a vascular surgeon with The Vascular Care Group in Darien, Connecticut.

The first TEVAR with the device was performed by Patrick E. Muck, MD, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Muck is a vascular surgeon with TriHealth Heart Institute in Cincinnati.

“Aneurysms are extremely serious, so it is beneficial to have treatment options that are minimally invasive and offer fast recovery,” commented Dr. Nassiri in Medtronic’s press release. “When completing an endovascular repair procedure, it is of the utmost importance to leverage devices that prioritize patient safety.”

Dr. Muck added, “Guidewires are the backbone of the aortic procedure, facilitating tracking through patient anatomy and delivering the stent graft to the landing zone. The ideal wire is a balance of deliverability with patient safety.”