First to Implant New Dialysis Technology

Providence St. Joseph Hospital has become the first hospital in Orange County—and the first across the Providence health system—to offer VasQ™ (Laminate Medical Technologies), an FDA-cleared nitinol external vascular support implanted at the time of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) creation. Vascular surgeon Dr. Xuan-Binh (Ben) Pham and the hospital’s Operating Room team recently completed the first implantation, expanding local options for surgical hemodialysis access. Published data, including a pivotal U.S. study and subsequent analyses, have reported favorable rates of physiologic maturation, functional success, and safety, with no device-related serious adverse events identified in the pivotal cohort.

AVF remains the preferred long-term access for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Functional success, however, is limited by failure of maturation and juxta-anastomotic stenosis, often driven by disturbed flow, elevated wall tension, and adverse remodeling after vessel mobilization. These events contribute to delayed two-needle cannulation, prolonged central venous catheter dependence, and additional endovascular or surgical interventions.

VasQ is placed externally around the artery and vein during standard AVF construction to reinforce the juxta-anastomotic segment, maintain anastomotic geometry (arterial arch and venous taper), and promote a more laminar inflow transition. The intended effect is more consistent outward (dilative) remodeling, improved maturation and usability, and a lower burden of stenosis-related reintervention. 

Dr. Pham coordinates with SJO's multidisciplinary team of surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, technologists and perioperative staff. VasQ is consistent with our broader strategy to expand advanced vascular and cardiovascular care locally and system-wide. The clinical objective remains the same: more durable, usable AVFs and fewer access-related complications for patients requiring maintenance hemodialysis.