There are two types of aortic aneurysms: thoracic and abdominal.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a localized dilatation of the abdominal aorta. An aortic aneurysm is the weakening and enlargement of the aortic wall, which, if left untreated, can lead to rupture. A ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical attention. Early diagnosis and preventive repair are vital since only one out of two patients with an AAA rupture will survive.

“Treatment of an aneurysm requires either traditional open surgery to remove the aneurysm or the increasingly popular and less invasive endovascular surgery. Surgery for an abdominal aortic aneurysm is known as AAA surgery or AAA repair.

Endovascular repair of the aneurysm means that a stent graft is placed inside the aneurysm sac. A stent is an artificial 'tube' inserted into a natural passage in the body to prevent, or counteract, a disease-induced, localized flow constriction. Blood flows through the stent graft instead of into the aneurysm sac and reduces the pressure in the aneurysm to keep it from bursting.

As a contract manufacturer, MEMSCAP manufactures the CardioMEMS pressure sensor which is indicated for use during endovascular aneurysm repair.

Congestive heart failure is another important application for which MEMSCAP is active as a MEMS contract manufacturer for CardioMEMS.