Health Canada has granted authorisation for Abbott’s Esprit BTK Everolimus Eluting Resorbable Scaffold System, a dissolvable stent designed to treat patients with below-the-knee (BTK) chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).
The system functions to ensure arteries remain unobstructed while delivering everolimus drug to aid in the healing of the vessel, before it fully dissolves.
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Abbott noted that before this approval, balloon angioplasty was the conventional treatment for such conditions.
This procedure involves delivering a balloon to press the blockage against the arterial wall, thereby restoring blood flow.
However, the long-term effectiveness of balloon angioplasty has been questioned due to the high rate of recurrence, leading to additional medical interventions.
Abbott noted that its stent is constructed from a material akin to dissolving sutures and is inserted through a minimally invasive, catheter-based technique through a small leg incision.
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By GlobalDataIt supports the arterial wall post-clearance of the blockage, providing structural support for nearly three years till the vessel can independently remain patent.
At the 2024 Vascular InterVentional Advances (VIVA) Conference in Las Vegas, US, the company disclosed the two-year outcomes of the LIFE-BTK study, which showed that the system enhanced outcomes of the subjects and also reduced the necessity for repeat procedures by 48%, in comparison to balloon angioplasty.
Abbott vascular business senior vice-president Julie Tyler said: “At Abbott, we’ve recognised the significant burden of disease and limited treatment options for people living with the most severe form of peripheral artery disease (PAD) – treatments that typically include high-risk surgery or less invasive options that come with limitations.
“Our revolutionary below-the-knee resorbable scaffold technology meets an unmet need that will ultimately help people with PAD live better and fuller lives.”
In June 2025, Health Canada approved Abbott’s i-STAT TBI test cartridge, allowing for its use with whole blood, enabling clinicians to get lab-quality results in 15 minutes.
