In January 2026, the ARCA+® project entered a decisive stage: …
What is ARCA+®?
A fully implantable manual drainage system designed to help manage ascites continuously and autonomously.
ARCA+® transfers excess peritoneal fluid from the abdominal cavity to the bladder, allowing the body to eliminate it naturally through urination. It is entirely manufactured from medical-grade silicone and operates based on simple physical principles.
Its purpose is to provide a safe, effective, and less invasive solution for patients living with refractory ascites, reducing the need for frequent hospital procedures.
Implantable
Manual drainage
Medical-grade silicone
What problem does it solve?
ARCA+® is designed for the treatment of refractory ascites, a condition in which peritoneal fluid accumulates excessively in the abdomen due to advanced liver disease — primarily cirrhosis — and no longer responds to conventional medical treatments such as diuretics or dietary modifications.
Living with ascites involves:
Persistent discomfort and a sensation of abdominal pressure
Nausea and loss of appetite
Shortness of breath and reduced mobility
Severe fluid accumulation, typically between 5 and 10 liters, compared to the normal 25–50 milliliters
The current standard treatment is paracentesis, a hospital-based procedure in which a needle is inserted to drain peritoneal fluid. To prevent complications such as acute kidney injury or albumin deficiency, only limited volumes can be removed per session, which often requires albumin supplementation.
Each session lasts approximately 4 hours and provides only temporary relief, as fluid reaccumulates. For this reason, patients typically must repeat the procedure on average once per week.
The only curative option is liver transplantation; however, most patients are not candidates due to donor scarcity, incompatibilities, or medical contraindications.
How it originated
ARCA emerged from a personal experience of Dr. Ernesto Andrade, who lost a friend after he experienced complications associated with ascites. This event highlighted not only the limitations of available alternatives but also the profound impact the disease has on patients’ quality of life and autonomy.
From this experience, ARCA was conceived as a device aimed at improving ascites management, with the goal of promoting greater independence, well-being, and dignity in the daily lives of those living with this condition. Beyond its clinical focus, ARCA represents a human commitment: honoring his friend’s memory through an innovation designed to support patients with chronic and difficult-to-reverse diagnoses.
How are we progressing?
We began 2026 with renewed energy and a clear objective: …
During November, the development of ARCA+® took us into one …
Contact us
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Notice: Some devices are under evaluation and are not available for commercialization. Consult indications and contraindications on each product page.
Colombia
- Phone: +57 3128136757
- Address: Carrera 106 # 15A - 25 Mz:16 - Bd:114A, Zona Franca Bogotá.
- Email: operaciones@laboratoriosvertex.com
United States
- Phone: +1 786 542 4155
- Address: 1111 Brickell Ave, Miami Beach, FL, 33131
- Email: operaciones@laboratoriosvertex.com
