Patients who are currently undergoing dialysis treatment for kidney failure, or renal disorders, may be interested to know about a new technology that could greatly improve their dialysis access.
Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgeons (CTVS) in Austin is currently participating in a clinical trial for the VasQ device (from Laminate Medical Technologies).
Dialysis treatment helps patients that have kidney disease with the process of removing excess water and toxins from the blood when their body can no longer do so naturally. The VasQ is an investigational device not yet approved by the FDA, but has received breakthrough device designation, which provides physicians with a way to support and stabilize flow through a newly created fistula (connection of the vein and artery) for dialysis access. Earlier studies from Europe have demonstrated VasQ improves the success rate of fistulas becoming usable for hemodialysis when compared to fistula’s without VasQ.
CTVS is currently the only group in Austin participating in the VasQ trial and contributing to this promising research that could help dialysis patients everywhere receive effective dialysis access more quickly and potentially have that access last longer.
Why is this study important for dialysis patients and how can it improve my treatments?
The VasQ device is a tiny medical device developed to support fistulas used for hemodialysis. The VasQ device is a thin, metal mesh implanted around the artery and vein to provide external support—similar to scaffolding—to the fistula. The device conforms and holds the fistula to the optimized shape that produces sufficient blood flow for hemodialysis while preventing common modes of fistula failure.
The study has enrolled 144 patients throughout the U.S. who will be followed for a two-year period while receiving dialysis treatment. CTVS enrolled 8 patients in the VasQ trial under the direction of one of our board-certified vascular surgeons, Dr. Stephen Settle.
What is Dr. Settle’s hope for the VasQ trial?
Dr. Settle is very encouraged by the performance that the VasQ device has shown so far. He hopes that our CTVS participants can help give valuable patient feedback to evaluate the continued safety and effectiveness of the device.
Dr. Settle is also hopeful that the VasQ will provide patients higher quality fistulas that can be accessed more quickly.
For more information about the study, please contact CTVS .
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