TUCSON, Arizona – Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital has reached a major milestone in advanced vascular care, performing Southern Arizona’s first Symvess procedure, an innovative vascular conduit that offers a new treatment option for patients requiring urgent arterial repair when their own vein cannot be used. This new treatment option helps reduce and prevent limb loss and limb amputation.

Symvess provides an additional treatment option for patients with extremity arterial injury who require urgent vascular reconstruction. Symvess is a tissue-engineered blood vessel produced from human vascular cells. During manufacturing, the cells used to create the vessel are removed, leaving behind a strong extracellular matrix designed to function as a vascular conduit after implantation.

“Being the first hospital in the region to perform this procedure reflects our commitment to bringing advanced treatment options to the Tucson community,” said Scott Berman, MD, MHA, FACS, DFSVS, Vascular Surgeon at Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital who performed the first successful procedure. “For many patients they reach a point where traditional options for bypass are extremely limited and it’s important we have additional options available for treatment - Symvess provided us with another conduit option when a suitable autologous vein was no longer available. Our goal is to preserve limbs and prevent the need for amputation.”

The technology represents a different approach from conventional synthetic vascular grafts. Once implanted, the bioengineered vessel provides a scaffold that can be incorporated into the recipient’s tissue.

“This case demonstrates the importance of bringing advanced vascular technologies to patients in Southern Arizona,” said Jennifer Opsut, Chief Executive Officer for Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital. “Congratulations to Dr. Berman and the team on this significant achievement that will ultimately save lives and limbs.”

The procedure marks the first implantation of SYMVESS in Southern Arizona and expands the advanced limb-salvage capabilities available at Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital.

“Limb salvage is not simply about saving a foot,” said Dr. Berman. “For someone who has already lost the opposite leg, preserving the remaining limb can have a profound impact on independence and quality of life. Our goal is to use every appropriate option available to give patients that opportunity.”

For more information about Carondelet Health Network visit: https://www.carondelet.org

About Carondelet Health Network

Carondelet Health Network covers the Tucson Region to include Nogales and surrounding areas. The system includes Carondelet St. Mary’s Hospital, Carondelet St. Joseph’s Hospital, Carondelet Holy Cross Hospital, Carondelet Marana Emergency Center and Carondelet St. Rapheal’s Emergency Center. Carondelet Health Network is dedicated to continuing its over 145-year commitment to the Tucson community. For more information, please visit Carondelet.org.