KentuckyOne Health Doctor First in Kentucky to Use Newly-Approved Aortic Branch Device - Archived

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KentuckyOne Health Doctor First in Kentucky to Use Newly-Approved Aortic Branch Device
Device preserves iliac artery blood flow in patients with iliac or aortoiliac aneurysms

Lexington, Ky. (May 17, 2016) – KentuckyOne Health is now treating patients in Lexington with the new GORE® EXCLUDER® Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis (IBE), the first off-the-shelf aortic branch device approved in the United States and the only device indicated for the endovascular treatment of common iliac artery aneurysms or aortoiliac aneurysms. Nick Abedi, MD, KentuckyOne Health Surgery Associates is the first doctor in Kentucky to perform this procedure, which took place at Saint Joseph Hospital in Lexington.
 
“This device shows proven outcomes for the treatment of iliac artery aneurysms,” said Dr. Abedi. “This is a new resource that we are now able to use to help a wider range of patients, and I’m thrilled to be the first doctor in Kentucky to treat patients with this minimally invasive device.”
 
Bringing GORE® EXCLUDER® to Kentucky is significant because the device better allows  branch arteries to stay open, instead of being blocked, to keep blood flow moving to the pelvic area. Previous stents would simply block off all branch arteries, potentially causing the patient future circulation problems. In addition, being able to provide this as a minimally invasive procedure allows quicker healing times. Preservation of blood flow in the internal iliac arteries is found to avoid pelvic flow disruption and reduce the rate of buttock claudication, sexual dysfunction, and colonic ischemia.
 
“Saint Joseph Hospital is a leader in medical care, and we continue to set the bar high with new procedures, such as the IBE,” said Bruce Tassin, president, Saint Joseph Hospital. “We are dedicated to providing patients with the best care, and Dr. Abedi and his team are delivering.”
 
While aortic aneurysm can be hereditary with patients who have collagen vascular disorders, which cause a weakening of vascular tissue, they are most commonly caused by risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
 
Medicare now allows for an aneurysm screening, which includes a physical exam and ultrasound of the abdomen, as well as a screening of family history. Aneurysms are often called a silent killer because, in most cases of ruptured aneurysm, there are no warning symptoms and most people don’t know they have one until it’s too late. Those of Medicare age, or with a known family history of vascular disorders, are recommended to see their doctor about having an aneurysm screening.
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To learn more about the Iliac Branch Endoprosthesis, contact KentuckyOne Health Surgery Associates. The office is open 9 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday, and is located at 1401 Harrodsburg Road, Suite C-100. You can reach the office by calling 859.276.1966.

About W. L. Gore & Associates
At Gore, we have provided creative therapeutic solutions to complex medical problems for 40 years. During that time, 40 million innovative Gore Medical Devices have been implanted, saving and improving the quality of lives worldwide. Our extensive family of products includes vascular grafts, endovascular and interventional devices, surgical meshes for hernia and soft tissue reconstruction, staple line reinforcement materials, and sutures for use in vascular, cardiac, and general surgery. We are one of a select few companies to appear on all of the US “100 Best Companies to Work For” lists since the rankings debuted in 1984.
 
About KentuckyOne Health
KentuckyOne Health, the largest and most comprehensive health system in the Commonwealth, has more than 200 locations including, hospitals, physician groups, clinics, primary care centers, specialty institutes and home health agencies in Kentucky and southern Indiana. KentuckyOne Health is dedicated to bringing wellness, healing and hope to all, including the underserved.  The system is made up of the former Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare and Saint Joseph Health System, along with the University of Louisville Hospital and James Graham Brown Cancer Center. KentuckyOne Health is proud of and strengthened by its Catholic, Jewish and academic heritages.