Cook stent approval is a “huge step”

Cook has created a new stent, which it claims is a “huge step” in the treatment of symptomatic vascular disease of the iliac arteries.

The apparatus, named Zilver Vascular Stent, has been approved for trial in the US initially, although the company plans to produce it for the global market. Cook already has regulatory approval to market the stent in over 25 countries, including the UK, Germany, France and Australia.

With a reference diameter of five millimetres to nine millimetres, the stent can be used to treat lesions up to 100 mm in length, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) indication.

Rob Lyles, global leader of Cook’s diagnostic and interventional products division, states that the product will help the company’s goal to become the world leader in therapeutic technologies for the peripheral arteries. He adds that FDA approval for the Zilver Vascular Stent system is a “huge step” toward the aim and will build upon the success already achieved in this sector.

Dr Barry Katzen, medical director of Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute, Miami, claims that the product will be of benefit to patients.

“Until recently, physicians have had limited options in treating vascular disease in the iliac arteries,” he said.

“With this FDA approval, we now have an advanced stent design that can significantly aid patients with this condition.”

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