Intermountain Medical Center First in Nation to Use FDA-Approved Device to Treat Aortic Aneurysms

Intermountain Medical Center is the first hospital in the nation to perform a new minimally invasive procedure to treat patients who have aortic aneurysms that can be deadly if they rupture using a new FDA-approved device that paves the way for patients in Utah and across the country to benefit from this life-saving technology.

Intermountain Health vascular surgeon Evan Brownie, MD, who performed the first commercial use procedure outside of participants in the clinical trial in the nation using the newly FDA-approved Gore EXCLUDER Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE) device, calls the advancement a “game changer” for patients with the life-threatening condition.

The new device and minimally-invasive procedure eliminate the need for patients to undergo major surgery to repair an aortic aneurysm – a bulge in the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the body. Aneurysms are dangerous because they can burst and cause life-threatening bleeding.

Dr. Brownie says the new TAMBE device marks a significant advancement in vascular surgery and offers new hope for patients dealing with life-threatening aneurysms.

“We’re thrilled to be the first hospital in the country to use the TAMBE device in a real-world setting to help patients in need,” said Dr. Brownie, who is co-director of the Intermountain Health Aortic Center. “This is a major step forward in how we treat complex aortic aneurysms, and it’s exciting to see such positive outcomes right out of the gate.”

The TAMBE device is the first and only readily available device to treat complex aneurysms in the visceral aorta, which are blood vessels that branch off from the aorta, the main artery in the body, that supply blood to key organs in the abdomen, including the liver, kidneys, spleen, stomach, and intestines.

Aneurysms in this area can weaken the artery wall, increasing the risk of rupture and sudden death. Until now, patients faced limited and often invasive treatment options.

Now, there’s new hope for patients.

“Having access to this device means we can offer cutting-edge, minimally invasive treatments that weren’t available before,” said Dr. Brownie. “It’s going to have a huge impact on patients not only here in Utah but across the country.”

As more hospitals begin using TAMBE, it is expected that the device will revolutionize the treatment of complex aortic aneurysms, saving lives of patients who had limited options before and reducing the need for major, invasive surgery.

Since this pioneering procedure was first performed at Intermountain Medical Center, Intermountain Health vascular surgeons have performed several more cases at the hospital with promising results.

Previously, open thoracoabdominal aneurysm repair was the only reliable option for treating these dangerous aneurysms. However, this method is highly invasive and involves a large incision that extends from the shoulder blade down to the lower abdomen.

The procedure is so complex that it is only offered at a few specialized centers across the country, including Intermountain Medical Center.

Dr. Brownie likened the open surgery approach to “opening a patient like a can of cinnamon rolls,” emphasizing the physical toll the operation takes on the body. Recovery times are long, and the risk of complications is high, making this option less suitable for many patients.

In contrast, the TAMBE device offers a minimally invasive alternative.

Instead of a large incision, the procedure involves making small punctures in the femoral arteries in the groin and one beneath the collarbone to deliver a custom stent graft. This graft includes individual branches that supply blood to the affected organs, eliminating the need for the extensive surgical opening.

“The TAMBE procedure is a game-changer,” said Dr. Brownie. “We’re able to treat complex aneurysms through tiny punctures instead of a massive incision. This dramatically reduces recovery time and gives patients a safer option.”

The availability of TAMBE also eliminates the need for physicians to modify existing devices or use off-label techniques, which had been a common practice for over a decade due to the lack of approved options.

Surgeons previously had to customize devices or develop novel methods, leading to unpredictable outcomes.

“This device was designed specifically for these complex cases, and the difference it makes is already clear,” added Dr. Brownie. “For the first time, we have an off-the-shelf solution that’s FDA-approved, and the early results are excellent.”

The success of the first TAMBE procedures at Intermountain Medical Center demonstrates the potential of this breakthrough device to transform vascular surgery and improve patient outcomes.

“We’re at the forefront of something truly significant, and it’s exciting to be part of a new era in treating these complex and dangerous aneurysms,” said Dr. Brownie.

For up-to-date information and announcements please see the Intermountain Health newsroom at https://news.intermountainhealth.org.

About Intermountain Health

Headquartered in Utah with locations in six states and additional operations across the western U.S., Intermountain Health is a nonprofit system of 33 hospitals, 385 clinics, medical groups with some 4,600 employed physicians and advanced care providers, a health plans division called Select Health with more than one million members, and other health services. Helping people live the healthiest lives possible, Intermountain is committed to improving community health and is widely recognized as a leader in transforming healthcare by using evidence-based best practices to consistently deliver high-quality outcomes at sustainable costs. For more information or updates, see https://intermountainhealthcare.org/news.