Abbott receives CE Mark for Xience Xpedition 48 stent

Abbott has announced the European approval and launch of the new Xience Xpedition 48 everolimus-eluting coronary stent system.

The CE Mark-accredited device is the world's longest coronary drug-eluting stent and is intended for the treatment of very long blockages in the vessels that supply blood to the heart caused by coronary artery disease.

It has been shown in studies that the use of a single long stent – rather than several smaller devices – offers several procedural benefits, including reduced exposure to x-rays and shortened procedure times.

The device is supported by strong clinical evidence from the Xience stent family, including data from more than 53,000 patients across more than 100 studies.

Dr Charles Simonton, divisional vice-president for medical affairs and chief medical officer at Abbott Vascular, said: "Xience Xpedition 48 provides a new, unique solution for treating patients with very long lesions, affirming Abbott's commitment to continued innovation."

Earlier this month, the company was granted CE Mark approval for the Architect clinical chemistry haemoglobin A1c test, for use in the monitoring and detection of diabetes.