Yesterday, the Relay experience was presented in the Bolton Medical session at the CX Symposium. Vicente Riambau, Barcelona, Spain, showed the RESTORE intermediate clinical results in 150 patients. Martin Czerny, Vienna, Austria, talked about the Relay Plus. After Frans Moll presentation on the Relay NBS, the participants went on a hands-on experience.
This accomplishment reinforces the growth of Relay in the European market where, in the last published market data report, has obtained an 11.6% market share (EVEM Period Q3 2008, Biba Medical). Since the CE marking, in June 2005, Relay has obtained an average of 1,22 devices per patient, this reinforces the data published recently on the Journal of Cardiovascular Surgery and positions the Relay brand with the lowest number of devices per patient.
By pathology the Relay brand has been used mainly for treating atherosclerotic aneurysms (47%) followed by aortic dissections (27%), penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (4%), device repair (2%) and other conditions (20%). By gender 81% of the patients treated were male and 19% female.
By proximal landing zone the Relay brand has been implanted in 2% of the cases in zone 0, 6% in zone 1, 23% in zone 2, 41% in zone 3 and 28% in zone 4 of the aorta.
The devices
Relay and Relay NBS are stent grafts specifically designed for the thoracic aorta and are indicated in the treatment of main thoracic aortic pathologies such as aneurysms, dissections, penetrating ulcers, pseudoaneurysms and intramural haematoma, in adult patients.
The key feature of the devices is the proximal capture of the stent grafts that allows repositioning before deployment for a precise and controlled release without unexpected stent movements when deploying. No ballooning after deployment is required.
The Transport delivery system consists of a series of coaxially arranged sheaths and catheters, along with an easy to handle control system.
Straight grafts are available in diameters ranging from 22mm to 46mm (2mm step) and tapered grafts are available in diameters ranging from 28mm to 46mm (2mm step), decreasing incrementally by 4mm in the distal portion of the graft.
The Relay and Relay NBS stent graft is available in four lengths: 100mm, 150mm, 200mm, and 250mm. The devices are available in many major markets throughout the world. The devices are not available for sale in the USA, where Bolton Medical is conducting its phase II clinical trial.
