Terumo Aortic’s ThoracoFlo Hybrid Device Used in First North American Case

April 20, 2023—Terumo Aortic announced the first North American implantation of the company’s Thoracoflo custom-made hybrid device to treat patients with thoracoabdominal aortic disease.

Terumo Aortic’s Thoracoflo device incorporates a combination of Terumo Aortic’s Gelweave woven polyester grafts and a ring-stent technology to address the patient’s specific anatomy. The device allows a less invasive surgical technique than traditional open surgical repair.

According to the company, the thoracoabdominal repair procedure using Thoracoflo was performed by Randy Moore, MD, Codirector of the Calgary Complex Aortic Program at the University of Calgary in Calgary, Canada. Dr. Moore and the University of Calgary team were supported by Professor Sabine Wipper, MD, Chair of Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Innsbruck, Austria. Prof. Wipper was a key contributor to the development of the device.

“This unique hybrid graft was designed through Terumo Aortic’s custom device program, specifically for the patient we were treating,” commented Dr. Moore in the company’s press release. “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.”

Dr. Moore continued, “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 postoperatively.”

The company noted that Dr. Moore was able to access the device through the Health Canada Special Access program, which represents a further important stage in the development of this device to treat a broader range of patients who are not suitable for treatment with an off-the-shelf product.

In Europe, the lead center for this hybrid procedure is the University Heart Center in Hamburg, Germany, under the direction of Professor Sebastian Debus, MD.