Abbott's Xact Carotid Stents System Wins FDA Approval

Abbott Vascular became the second firm approved to sell a carotid stent in the U.S., putting it into a market that analysts say could reach $1 billion in annual sales.

The FDA approved Abbott's Xact Carotid Stent System and its Emboshield Embolic Protection System on September 6th 2005 to treat patients at risk of stroke who aren't favorable candidates for surgery.  

Guidant received FDA approval last year for a similar carotid stent. Abbott hopes to capture 25 percent of the U.S. market in the product's first full year on the market and sustain that share as the market expands, the company said.