Abbott’s Jones-McMeans and Dr. DeRubertis on PAD below-the-knee, LIFE-BTK trial and Esprit BTK approval
In this episode of AbbottTalks, Jennifer Jones-McMeans, PhD, Divisional VP of Global Clinical Affairs at Abbott and Brian DeRubertis, MD, Chief, Division of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery at Weill Cornell Medical Center tackle the complexities of treating peripheral arterial disease (PAD) below the knee, particularly chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), a severe form of PAD that drastically impacts patients’ quality of life and longevity.
In the episode, the two discuss Abbott’s Esprit BTK System, the first-and-only FDA-approved drug-eluting resorbable scaffold for infrapopliteal CLTI. Dr. Jones-McMeans explains how Esprit BTK works by releasing a drug that prevents artery re-narrowing, crucial for maintaining sustained blood flow and promoting wound healing.
Later, they walk us through the pivotal LIFE-BTK trial, a significant milestone that demonstrated Esprit’s efficacy and led to its FDA approval. They also highlight the importance of including diverse patient populations in clinical trials, particularly those disproportionately affected by PAD, such as African Americans, Latinos, Native Americans, and women. This inclusive approach not only ensures the treatment’s effectiveness across varied demographics but also sets a precedent for future trials.
Thank you to Freudenberg Medical for sponsoring this episode of AbbottTalks. For more information on how Freudenberg Medical works with medical device companies, visit www.freudenbergmedical.com.
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