W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced that it has received approval from Health Canada for two innovations of the GORE VIABAHN Endoprosthesis with PROPATEN Bioactive Surface.

The newly approved 25cm long endoprosthesis and a lower profile delivery system gives Canadian physicians more options in treating patient anatomies.

The 25 cm GORE VIABAHN Endoprosthesis with PROPATEN Bioactive Surface is the longest length stent-graft available, and can be used to treat long-segment peripheral arterial disease. The device is constructed with a durable, reinforced, biocompatible, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) liner attached to an external nitinol stent structure.

The flexibility of the GORE VIABAHN Endoprosthesis enables it to traverse tortuous areas and conform closely to the complex anatomy of the artery.

The stent-graft features the addition of proprietary heparin-bonded technology. The end-point covalent bonding keeps heparin anchored to the endoprosthesis surface while the bioactive site remains free to interact with the blood.

"With patient outcomes as the top priority, the longer 25 cm GORE VIABAHN Endoprosthesis will lead to safer treatment and produce better patient results while being cost-effective and reduce procedure times," said Andrew Benko, MD, University of Sherbrooke.

"The addition of a lower profile Gore device creates safe treatment options for patients with challenging anatomies and will be ideal for contralateral work."

The new lower profile GORE VIABAHN Endoprosthesis with PROPATEN Bioactive Surface offers more options for less-invasive endovascular treatment. This next generation device enables a reduction in delivery profile to 6 Fr for 5 and 6 mm devices and 7 Fr for 7 and 8 mm devices and is delivered over a 0.018" or 0.014" guidewire.