This guide offers an educational, technical overview of aortic aneurysm & dissection repair and the device technologies used in this field. Repair strategy depends on the segment involved, with distinct considerations for the abdominal aorta below the kidneys and the thoracic aorta in the chest. As a medical device manufacturer, INVAMED develops technologies in this area; the information here is educational and not medical advice.
Background: Aortic Aneurysm and Dissection Endovascular Repair
Repair strategy depends on the segment involved, with distinct considerations for the abdominal aorta below the kidneys and the thoracic aorta in the chest. Endovascular repair reaches the aorta through the femoral arteries and deploys a device from inside the vessel, avoiding a large open incision in appropriately selected patients. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) treats thoracic aortic aneurysms with a stent graft placed in the descending thoracic aorta.
Core Technologies and Options
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR). EVAR treats an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm by deploying a fabric-covered stent graft that channels blood through the graft and excludes the aneurysm sac. A bifurcated modular design lets the operator build the graft in situ, seating a main body in the aorta and extending limbs into each iliac artery. Thoracic Endovascular Repair (TEVAR). TEVAR places a stent graft within the descending thoracic aorta to exclude a thoracic aneurysm or to cover an entry tear in certain dissections. The covered graft redirects blood through a stable channel and depresses pressure on the aneurysm wall or false lumen. Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM). A multilayer flow modulator is a bare, self-expanding scaffold that is intended to modulate blood flow through an aneurysm without covering side branches. By promoting more laminar flow and organized thrombus in the sac while keeping branch vessels perfused, it offers a branch-preserving alternative in selected complex anatomy. Branch-Vessel Preservation. Aneurysms that involve segments with critical side branches, such as the visceral or renal arteries, complicate coverage because those branches must stay perfused. Branch-preserving strategies aim to treat the aneurysm while maintaining flow into essential branches. Sealing and Fixation Zones. Endovascular grafts rely on healthy sealing zones above and below the aneurysm where the device apposes the aortic wall to prevent blood from entering the sac. Appropriate device oversizing relative to the native aorta helps achieve a seal and secure fixation. Bare Aortic Nitinol Stents. Bare-metal aortic stents provide scaffolding and radial support without a fabric covering, and can be used adjunctively in certain aortic reconstructions. Self-expanding nitinol construction allows the stent to conform to the aorta and accommodate its curvature.
Comparing the Approaches
EVAR vs Open surgical repair. EVAR repairs an abdominal aortic aneurysm from within the vessel through the femoral arteries, whereas open repair replaces the diseased segment with a surgical graft via a large incision. Anatomic suitability, particularly the quality of the aneurysm neck, strongly influences whether EVAR is feasible. TEVAR vs Open thoracic surgery. TEVAR treats descending thoracic aortic disease with a stent graft placed endovascularly, while open thoracic surgery involves a chest incision and direct graft replacement. Both approaches aim to prevent rupture or manage a dissection, differing in invasiveness and follow-up requirements. Multilayer flow modulator vs Fenestrated stent graft. A multilayer flow modulator preserves branches by modulating flow through a bare mesh, while a fenestrated stent graft preserves branches through custom-made holes aligned to each vessel. INVAMED's STENA MFM represents the flow-modulating approach for selected complex, branch-involving anatomy.
INVAMED Portfolio in This Area
INVAMED's related devices include: STENA Aortic Multi-Layer Flow Modulator, Atlas Aortic Stent Graft, Atlas Endovascular Stent Graft, Atlas Aortic Nitinol Stent. Detailed specifications for each are provided in the product documentation.
Key Considerations
- Manufacturer descriptions of flow modulation and radial support reflect design intent rather than guaranteed clinical outcomes.
- All INVAMED aortic devices are intended for use by trained vascular specialists under imaging guidance and per the IFU.
- Accurate, calibrated cross-sectional imaging is essential for sizing, oversizing, and defining adequate sealing zones before an endovascular repair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who decides if an aneurysm needs repair?
A vascular specialist decides using current size thresholds and imaging; this article is educational and not a treatment recommendation.
Does the flow modulator cover branch vessels?
INVAMED describes the STENA MFM as branch-preserving, designed to modulate blood flow without covering branch vessels; suitability is determined by the clinician.
Are these aortic devices CE marked?
Device availability and regulatory status vary by country. Please contact INVAMED or your authorized local distributor for current regulatory information applicable to your region.
Related on INVAMED
- Aortic Aneurysm & Dissection Repair — product category
- Understanding Bare Aortic Nitinol Stents
- Multilayer Flow Modulator (MFM): How It Works and Why It Matters
- Covered stent graft or Bare multilayer stent? A Technical Comparison
Important Disclaimer
This content is educational and technical in nature and must not be interpreted as medical advice or as a promise of any clinical outcome. Individual results depend on many factors and can only be evaluated by a treating physician. Figures attributed to INVAMED reflect manufacturer or published data and are not a guarantee of results. All INVAMED devices are to be used by trained clinicians per the approved IFU, and availability is subject to local regulatory status.
Reviewed by the INVAMED Medical Affairs team. Content is educational and technical in nature.