St. Jude Symmetry
This article was originally published in The Gray Sheet
Executive Summary
Sutureless aortic connector anastomosis system gains 510(k) clearance for use to attach vein grafts to the aorta during coronary artery bypass grafting surgery (1"The Gray Sheet" May 7, 2001, p. 14). The second planned product in the Symmetry line, a coronary connector to connect the other end of the vein to the coronary arteries, is in clinical studies. Use of the Symmetry system is anticipated to simplify bypass and help increase the appeal of less invasive CABG compared to alternatives such as open-chest CABG or stenting