Medtronic Launches Endurant II AAA Stent Graft System in U.S.

Medtronic, Inc. has announced the U.S. launch of the Endurant® II AAA
Stent Graft System, which recently received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) for the minimally invasive treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms
through endovascular repair (EVAR), an alternative to major surgery.

The Endurant II AAA System will be showcased at the Society for
Vascular Surgery’s Vascular Annual Meeting, June 7–9 at National
Harbor, Md., near Washington, D.C.
Clinical performance updates on Medtronic’s entire portfolio of aortic stent grafts
will also be presented at the meeting.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a condition in which the
aorta bulges or weakens, often with no apparent symptoms. An untreated AAA can rupture
unexpectedly, which often results in sudden death, making this condition known as
a “silent killer” and the third leading cause of sudden death in men over age 60.[1]

The Endurant II AAA Stent Graft builds on the proven performance
of the market-leading Endurant AAA Stent Graft, while adding three distinct features
that enhance the device’s ease of use and options for clinical success:

A lower profile delivery system with an extended hydrophilic
coating improves access. The 28mm-diameter stent graft (the most commonly used size)
now fits inside an 18-French OD (outer diameter) catheter (down from 20 French in
the original device).

Two new contralateral limb lengths (156mm and 199mm) provide
more options in sizing and can reduce the number of pieces required for an EVAR
case.

Improved radiopacity of the contralateral gate on the distal
end of the device aids with limb insertion, placement and deployment.

“The Endurant II Stent Graft is a very deliverable device that
enhances the ability to treat more patients than previous devices and to traverse
challenging anatomies, especially iliac arteries with tight access,” said Dr. William
Jordan, professor and chief of vascular surgery and endovascular therapy at the
University of Alabama and one of the principal investigators for the U.S. clinical
study of the predicate device. “Considering the exceptional clinical performance
of the original system, the Endurant II Stent Graft is even easier to use in both
straightforward and challenging anatomies.”

The original Endurant AAA Stent Graft received FDA approval in
December 2010 and quickly became the U.S. market leader. The next-generation
Endurant II AAA Stent Graft received CE (Conformité Européenne) Mark in December
2011 and has replaced the preceding version in Western Europe,
while maintaining the preeminent market position that had been held by the Endurant
AAA Stent Graft since 2008. Overall, 70,000 patients worldwide have been treated
with the Endurant product line.

FDA approval of the Endurant II AAA Stent Graft is based on the
results of the U.S.
clinical study of the predicate device, which continues to demonstrate strong clinical
performance and efficacy in long-term follow-up. The outcomes at two-years showed
no Type I endoleaks, migration, conversion to surgery, or aneurysm-related mortality.
Furthermore, aneurysm sac diameter decreased or remained stable in 98.3 percent
of patients at two years.

In collaboration with leading clinicians, researchers and scientists,
Medtronic offers the broadest range of innovative medical technology for the interventional
and surgical treatment of cardiovascular disease and cardiac arrhythmias. The company
strives to offer products and services that deliver clinical and economic value
to healthcare consumers and providers worldwide.

ABOUT MEDTRONIC

Medtronic, Inc. (www.medtronic.com), headquartered in Minneapolis, is the global
leader in medical technology – alleviating pain, restoring health and extending
life for millions of people around the world.

[1] Ohki T, Veith FJ. Endovascular Repair of Ruptured, AAAs In
treating AAAs, endovascular repair may hold the key over open repair to lowering
mortality. Endovascular Today. January 2004;47?51.