Healthcare Industry News: vascular closure
News Release - January 30, 2008
Cardica's C-Port Anastomosis Systems for Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Procedures to be Used to Train Cardiothoracic Surgeons at Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) University
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., Jan. 30 (HSMN NewsFeed) -- Cardica, Inc. (Nasdaq: CRDC ) today announced that its innovative C-Port® Distal Anastomosis Systems will be used in two courses to train cardiothoracic surgeons at the 2008 STS University. In addition to the C-Port systems, the PAS-Port® Proximal Anastomosis System* will also be shown. These courses will be held today during the 44th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. With attendees from around the world, STS is the largest meeting of cardiothoracic surgeons in North America. Cardica's C-Port systems are designed to allow surgeons to automate distal anastomosis -- the attachment of blood vessels and grafts downstream of an occlusion during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures -- replacing traditional hand-sewn sutures."Cardica's C-Port anastomosis systems represent the cutting edge of revascularization for less invasive CABG surgery and are designed to provide rapid, reliable and consistently reproducible anastomoses, which are often considered the most critical aspect of the CABG procedure," said Bernard A. Hausen, M.D., Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Cardica.
Among the 11 courses that will be offered during STS University, Cardica's products will be used in conjunction with other products to train surgeons in the following:
-- "Advanced Coronary Revascularization Techniques," directed by John D.
Puskas, M.D. This course on advanced CABG techniques will provide an
update on recent advances in surgical management of coronary artery
disease. It will include presentations on advanced techniques in
arterial revascularization; off-pump revascularization; non-sternotomy
approaches to coronary revascularization; and anastomotic connectors.
-- "Advanced Skills Set for Cardiothoracic Residents," directed by Robert
A. Guyton, M.D. In this course, senior surgical faculty with
specialization in coronary and valvular heart disease will cover the
technical aspects associated with reoperative CABG, aortic valve
replacement and mitral valve repair. Hands-on laboratory experience
will include new technologies in the performance of proximal and distal
coronary anastomoses, performance of a variety of mechanical and
bioprosthetic aortic valves, and performance of a variety of new and
classic mitral valve repair techniques.
Cardica is an in-kind sponsor of STS.
About the C-Port xA and Flex A Anastomosis Systems
Cardica's C-Port systems are designed to enable automated, reliable and reproducible connections of blood vessels during CABG surgery. Unlike most hand-sewn anastomoses, Cardica's C-Port systems create compliant anastomoses that can expand and contract with blood flow. In addition, the C-Port anastomosis systems, whether used during on- or off- pump surgery, offer surgeons unique access to a wide range of coronary arteries, particularly small coronary arteries on which, in the past, CABG procedures have been very difficult or impossible to perform. The C-Port Flex A system features several innovative modifications to Cardica's C-Port xA system. The C-Port Flex A system has a flexible, rather than rigid, shaft and is designed to create compliant anastomoses in vessels as small as one millimeter in internal diameter. Importantly, the flexible shaft is designed to allow surgeons to position the device to create a secure connection even in difficult to reach areas of the heart.
About Cardica
Cardica is a leading provider of automated anastomosis systems for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. By replacing hand-sewn sutures with easy-to-use automated systems, Cardica's products provide cardiovascular surgeons with rapid, reliable and consistently reproducible anastomoses, or connections of blood vessels, often considered the most critical aspect of the CABG procedure. Cardica's C-Port® Distal Anastomosis Systems are marketed in Europe and the United States. The PAS-Port® Proximal Anastomosis System is marketed in Europe and Japan and is being evaluated in a pivotal trial in the United States and Europe. Cardica also is developing additional devices with Cook Incorporated to facilitate vascular closure and other surgical procedures.
* The PAS-Port Proximal Anastomosis System is not available for sale in the United States.
Source: Cardica
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