The Procedure

After an initial clinical trial at the Royal Brompton Hospital in which 20 patients with Marfan syndrome received the ExoVasc^® Aortic Root Support, the Clinical Practice Committee at the hospital has approved the device for use in the treatment of suitable patients with a dilated aorta due to Marfan syndrome.

The procedure is now available at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London and several other centres in the UK and Europe. Prospective patients can be referred by their consultant or general practitioner directly to the appropriate surgical lead. See a list of surgical centres and surgical leads.

Patients may be regarded as suitable for this procedure if they have Marfan syndrome. They must also have a dilated aorta (i.e. an aorta which is larger than the "normal" 3.2 to 3.6 cm as measured atop the aortic valve cusps) and be asymptomatic, i.e. their aortic valve must be competent (functional).