Covidien study highlights benefits of directional atherectomy for PAD

Covidien has announced the publication of a new study that demonstrates the effectiveness of directional atherectomy as a frontline therapy for peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients.

Results from the DEFINITIVE LE study have been published in the Journal of American College of Cardiology, Cardiovascular Interventions, highlighting the benefits offered by Covidien's TurboHawk and SilverHawk solutions.

It was revealed that these directional atherectomy offerings, when used as a frontline therapy, demonstrated 95 percent limb salvage in patients with critical limb ischemia and 78 percent overall patency in claudicant patients at 12 months.

The DEFINITIVE LE study represented the largest atherectomy study conducted to date with independent, core lab analysis of the clinical outcomes.

Dr Mark Turco, chief medical officer for vascular therapies at Covidien, said: "We continue to invest in the DEFINITIVE clinical programmes to deliver the best clinical evidence and treatments for patients suffering with PAD."

This week, the company expanded its global research capabilities with the opening of a new medical technology centre in Sao Paulo, Brazil.