AngioDynamics today announced that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared the Auryon XL catheter, a 225cm radial access catheter, for use with the Auryon atherectomy system in the treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
According to an AngioDynamics press relaese, studies have shown that radial access is associated with a significantly lower risk of major bleeding and access site complications when compared to femoral access in the treatment of patients with PAD.
“Since its launch in September 2020, the Auryon atherectomy system, with its innovative solid-state laser technology, has fundamentally changed patient treatment for PAD and quickly become an essential tool for providers and patients,” said Kimberly Nelson, senior director of Auryon global marketing at AngioDynamics. “Our entry into the radial-to-peripheral (R2P) space with Auryon XL is an important part of our focus on advancing the quality of care delivery and it demonstrates our commitment to meeting the unmet needs of patients and atherectomy providers.”
AngioDynamics states that the Auryon XL catheter, available in 0.9mm and 1.5mm diameters, expands treatment access points in atherectomy procedures for PAD. It notes that use of a general radial access catheter may reduce incidents of major bleeding, when compared to femoral access, by more than 70%. Additionally, the Auryon XL catheter may eliminate the need for the use of femoral closure devices and allow for the treatment of bilateral disease in a single session, supporting improved patient mobility, earlier discharge and faster patient recovery times, the company adds.
“Radial access is more than an entry point; it’s a transformative expressway to enhanced patient outcomes,” said Ankur Lodha, interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South located in Lafayette, USA. “With an innovative design and its ease-of-use, the Auryon XL catheter brings significant advancements to radial procedures as the first non-orbital atherectomy device—setting a new standard for laser atherectomy technology.”
Following US FDA 510(k) clearance, AngioDynamics initiated a limited market release of the Auryon XL catheter in the USA in January 2024 and expects to enter full market release in February 2024.
AngioDynamics details that the Auryon laser can be used to treat all infrainguinal lesion types, including above-the-knee (ATK), below-the-knee (BTK) and in-stent restenosis (ISR), and that, to date, it has been used to treat more than 50,000 patients in the USA.
The technology underlying the Auryon atherectomy system has been shown in clinical studies to be effective in treating lesions ranging from soft plaque to severely calcified, AngioDynamics reports. The company explains that the system uses a 355nm wavelength laser platform, enabling the use of short ultraviolet (UV) laser pulses with targeted biological reactions that are effective in treating PAD while minimising the risk of perforation and preserving the ability to vaporise lesions without thermal ablation.