Cardiovascular
ExoVasc®
Personalised External Aortic Root Support (PEARS).
Custom-made medical device. Not TGA approved.
Overview
ExoVasc is designed to manage aortic dilation in people with Marfan syndrome and related genetic conditions. It is placed around the ascending aorta, where it supports the patient’s own aorta and aortic valve, and is designed to prevent enlargement and rupture.
An alternative to aortic root replacement
A custom-made external support is made to exactly match the patient’s aorta, then placed around the ascending aorta, which remains intact. Because the vessel and the valve are retained, the surgery is more straightforward and there is no need for the patient to take anticoagulant drugs.
Experience to date
More than 1,000 patients have received this external support. The first patient received theirs over 19 years ago, and total experience now exceeds 3,000 post-operative patient-years. Beyond Marfan syndrome, the PEARS operation has been used to treat aortic dilatation in bicuspid aortic valve disease and in patients with Ehlers-Danlos and Loeys-Dietz syndromes, and to prevent dilatation in patients undergoing a Ross procedure.
Ordering and support
General enquiries
- Phone
- 1800 100 282
