Advanced medical device designed for one of the most fatal cardiovascular medical emergencies
Fort Lauderdale, Florida — Broward Health Medical Center has achieved a lifechanging medical milestone, becoming the first hospital in South Florida and only the second in Florida to implant the AMDS™ Hybrid Prosthesis, this advanced medical device is designed to treat acute DeBakey Type I aortic dissections complicated by malperfusion, one of the most fatal cardiovascular medical emergencies.
The landmark procedure was performed on April 27th by Alexander Justicz, M.D., a board-certified cardiothoracic surgeon, alongside the cardiovascular operating room team. It’s one of the first performed in the United States since the AMDS Hybrid Prosthesis received U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval under a Humanitarian Device Exemption.
“This is a proud moment for Broward Health,” said Jenna Merlucci, vice president of heart and vascular services at Broward Health. “Being among the first hospitals in the country to adopt this advanced technology demonstrates our commitment to leading-edge cardiovascular care and improving outcomes for critically ill patients.”
The AMDS Hybrid Prosthesis allows surgeons to repair complex aortic tears with greater precision, reduce complications and significantly improve survival in patients suffering from this life-threatening condition.
“The AMDS device gives us a critical advantage in treating one of the most dangerous forms of aortic dissection, which is a tear in the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body,” Dr. Justicz said. “By helping us restore blood flow to vital organs and reduce the risk of new tears after surgery, the AMDS Hybrid Prosthesis can dramatically improve a patient’s chances of survival and long-term recovery.”
AMDS Hybrid Prothesis is a unique stent-supported cuff combined with a robust distal anastomosis that reduces the risk of distal anastomotic new entry (DANE).1-3 The uncovered stent stabilizes the true lumen, helping to resolve dynamic malperfusion and induce positive aortic remodeling.1-3
Broward Health’s early adoption of this breakthrough technology highlights the healthcare system’s role as a leader in cardiovascular innovation, critical care and complex surgical interventions. For more information, visit Broward Health's Cardiovascular Services.
About Broward Health
Broward Health, founded in 1938 and headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, ranks among the 10 largest public healthcare systems in the United States. Nationally recognized for its focus on high-quality care for the residents of Broward County and beyond, Broward Health boasts five hospitals, two trauma centers, a dynamic academic partnership with Florida Atlantic University, was the county's first statutory teaching hospital and has an ever-growing graduate medical education program. It includes more than 50 health centers and physician practices covering virtually every healthcare specialty.
Broward Health never stops working toward its mission of Exceptional Care, Extraordinary Compassion and Everyday Excellence. Driven by more than 11,000 talented employees and physicians who deliver care to all patients, regardless of their ability to pay, Broward Health is one of the largest employers in Broward County with an operating budget of $1.8 billion, and annually more than $470 million of charity and uncompensated care. For more information about Broward Health, visit BrowardHealth.org.
References:
1 Szeto, W.Y. et al. (2024) ‘A novel hybrid prosthesis for open repair of acute DeBakey type I dissection with malperfusion: Early results from the PERSEVERE trial’, The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery [Preprint]. doi:10.1016/j.jtcvs.2024.07.059.
2 Adjudicated data as presented at the 61st STS Annual Meeting by Dr. S. Fukuhara on behalf of corresponding authors, One-Year Results of a Novel Aortic Arch Hybrid Prosthesis for Open Repair of Acute DeBakey Type I Dissection with Malperfusion in the PERSEVERE Study / Friday, January 24, 2025 / 10:00 am – 10:15 am.
3 Adjudicated data as presented at EACTS Oct 2024 by Dr. R. EL-Andari on behalf of corresponding authors, 5-Year Results on Aortic Remodeling in the Dissected Aorta Repair Through Stent (DARTS) Implantation Trial / Thursday, October 10, 2024 / 10:15 am – 10:30 am.