Physicians at Barnes-Jewish Hospital have become the first in the St. Louis region and the first in Missouri to utilize a new aneurysm treatment device.

The new device is a self-expanding mesh ball that is placed in the sac of an aneurysm, disrupting blood flow entering the aneurysm and promoting clotting. Use of this single device stabilizes the aneurysm immediately and eradicates the need for multiple coils – shortening procedure duration and eliminates high risk steps that are encountered in other coiling procedures. Several patients have already been treated at Barnes-Jewish Hospital utilizing this method.

“Having access to the full spectrum of devices is really important to providing safe and effective care,” said Akash Kansagra, MD, Director of Endovascular Surgical Neuroradiology at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, “In our field, that means better outcomes.”

Other benefits to this new device include a lessened risk of metallic material extending into adjacent vessels and requiring a stent. This leads to a quicker procedure and usually eliminates the need for blood thinners after the procedure. All of these advantages make for a safe, easier and faster procedure for patients.

Members of the neuroradiology team at Barnes-Jewish Hospital were instrumental in the creation and implementation of this device. Namely, Christopher Moran, MD, was a key contributor during the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval process.

# # #

BARNES-JEWISH HOSPITAL

Barnes-Jewish Hospital is a 1,638-bed teaching hospital affiliated with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Missouri. The hospital has a 1,698-member medical staff, and has been consistently among the nation’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report. Barnes-Jewish is a member of BJC HealthCare, which provides a full range of health care services through its 15 hospitals and more than 100 health care sites in Missouri and Illinois.