July 25, 2024
DENVER —Denver Health’s vascular surgery team performed the first GORE® EXCLUDER® Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE) procedure in Colorado on Thursday, July 18.
Led by vascular surgeon Lisa Bennett, MD, this life-saving minimally invasive procedure is the first off-the-shelf endovascular solution for the treatment of complex aneurysmal disease involving the visceral aorta. The only previous treatment to aortic aneurysms required complex open-heart surgery that resulted in high blood loss and was occasionally fatal.
Bennett is the first surgeon in Colorado to perform this minimally invasive technique outside of clinical trials and is the first of a small number of surgeons in the state to be trained using this technology.
“Having this new, minimally invasive technology is an important step forward in specialty care for patients,” Bennett said. “Offering this leading-edge technology at Denver Health reflects our commitment to providing state of the art surgery options and high-quality care to all in our community when they need it most.”
An aortic aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the wall of the aorta. If an aortic aneurysm bursts, it can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. Aortic aneurysms are often asymptomatic in patients until they rupture, at which point immediate medical treatment is required. The GORE® EXCLUDER® TAMBE procedure helps lower the risk of life-threatening tears or ruptures of the aorta and allows for rapid recovery from surgery.
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About Denver HealthDenver Health is a comprehensive health and hospital system that provides high-quality care and proudly serves as the city’s safety net hospital. For more than 160 years, Denver Health has been guided by its mission to serve the people of Denver, to educate the next generation of health care professionals and to engage in research and community partnerships to better deliver the health care needs of our patients while strengthening our community.