Interventional Radiologists Use Tool For Venous Recanalization to Save Patient’s Leg From Amputation

University of Michigan Health Interventional Radiologists Dr David M. Williams and Dr Minhaj S Khaja successfully used VeinWay's Traversa for venous recanalization to save a patient's leg that was close to being amputated. The first in-human compassionate use case was approved by the US FDA.

Traversa, a newly developed tool for crossing tough occlusions in veins, enabled the physicians to recanalize a previously uncrossable vascular pathway, which included a 20 cm long blocked vein with four occluded stents.

Dr Williams said, "I had crossed the segment in this patient three years ago, but today it would have been impossible with existing devices. The patient's leg was in desperate condition. Traversa not only made this procedure possible, but also much easier and impressively faster."

Dr Khaja said, "The device allowed us to take the path that we wanted rather than being forced to trouble shoot the path chosen by the sharp recanalization devices available today. With Traversa, we were able to choose the angle and the length of the throw of the needle. This enabled us to pick the pathway and if we didn't like it, we were able to readjust. I think that allowed us to safely get through the occlusions and the stents."

VeinWay CEO Mr. Jordan Pollack said, "Our mission is to give surgeons the control they need to recanalize the veins of their patients safely, timely and successfully.  In doing so, we hope to inspire physicians to perform more venous recanalizations for the patients that need it to relieve pain and improve mobility. The procedure at University of Michigan Health was a huge step in changing the medical landscape of venous recanalization. We would like to thank the FDA for approving the use of Traversa in this first compassionate use case as well as Drs. Williams and Khaja for their agreement to try something new. We were honored to be of service."