The Benefits

What are the benefits of the ExoVasc® Personalised External Aortic Root Support surgery?

It takes a relatively short length of time to implant

The surgery to implant the ExoVasc® takes around two hours. This is considerably less time than the conventional aortic root replacement, with or without valve sparing which takes around 4 to 7 hours. There is usually no requirement for cardiopulmonary bypass (heart-lung machine) during the PEARS procedure.

It does not require the patient to take anticoagulant drugs post-surgery

The aorta remains intact and there is no cutting of any vessel. The valve remains intact and there is therefore no need for the patient to take anticoagulant drugs. The PEARS approach is thus particularly helpful to young women who wish to have a baby.

It offers peace of mind

Because the ExoVasc® supports the aorta, the patient can be sure their aorta will not continue to enlarge. Because the patient does not need to take anticoagulant drugs, they need not live in fear of excessive bleeding. The reinforced aorta reverts to a structure similar to normal, the patient’s own valve is supported and further surgery is unlikely to be necessary.

What is the experience to date?

More than 900 patients have already received this external support to their aorta.  The first patient received their support over 19 years ago, the total patient experience has now exceeded 3,000 post-operative patient-years, and the ExoVasc® support has proven successful in every case in which it has been implanted. In addition to patients with Marfan syndrome, the PEARS operation has been used to treat aortic dilatation in other conditions including Bicuspid Aortic Valve disease and patients with Ehlers-Danlos and Loeys-Dietz syndromes. It has also been successfully used to prevent dilatation in patients undergoing a Ross procedure.

Download information

People affected by Marfan syndrome who are interested in ExoVasc® Personalised External Aortic Root Support surgery may find the following information sheet useful when discussing the procedure with their GP.

Download the ExoVasc® Patient Benefits brochure