The first implantation of the Castor™ Aortic Branched Stent-Graft and Delivery System (Castor™) developed by Endovastec™ has been successfully completed in Netherlands. This marks the product’s 11th global market debut, following the United Kingdom, Poland, Spain, Argentina and others. The procedure was performed by a team led by Professor Kak Khee Yeung of Amsterdam University Hospital.
Following preoperative evaluation, the patient was diagnosed with a Stanford Type B thoracic aortic dissection with proximal involvement of the left subclavian artery (LSA), requiring thoracic aortic endovascular repair. The close proximity of the ulceration to the LSA rendered a regular tubular stent insufficient for an optimal landing zone at the distal end of the LSA, potentially resulting in the development of additional ulcerated lesions. Following comprehensive discussions, the surgical team opted to use the Castor™ for the procedure. The Castor™ was precisely positioned with no endoleaks observed, and the procedure was completed successfully.
The Castor™ features a unibody structure, which can adapt to a variety of arch anatomies and allows one-off access and release, innovatively addressing the challenge of stent introduction and positioning. It ensures a safe and convenient reconstruction of the LSA, while avoiding gutter endoleaks that could be caused by the chimney technique and the long-term stability risks brought by the fenestration technique.
The Castor™ was launched in 2017 and entered global markets in 2020 and has since been recognized by experts for its excellent performance in clinical applications in China, Europe and South America, with over 13,000 aortic disease patients having been treated worldwide. The first implanation of the Castor™ in the Netherlands is a significant step for Endovastec™’s growth in the European market.
In the future, Endovastec™ will continue its effort to introduce more high-quality and high-end innovative medical devices to global markets, bringing better medical solutions for blood circulation diseases to patients and physicians worldwide.