St. Francis Hospital First in U.S. to Use Breakthrough System to Diminish In-Stent Restenosis

On April 30, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® treated its first patient using AGENT, a new system administering targeted medication to cardiac patients as they as they receive treatment for stenosis, or a blockage within an existing stent in a coronary artery. St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® is the first hospital in the United States to make use of the new in-stent delivery system.

 

Chairman of Cardiology Richard Shlofmitz, MD, led the team in performing the case. This procedure is used to treat coronary in-stent restenosis, a recurrent narrowing of blood vessels, restricting blood flow inside of a previously placed stent. The AGENT device reduced the subsequent need for treatment in the same artery segment by almost 50%. 

 

The surgical procedure consists of a two-step balloon delivery system. The first balloon is used to reduce the stenosis, and the second balloon transfers the drug to the tissue.

 

“Statistically, one out of ten stents can re-narrow after a few years,” said Dr. Shlofmitz. “The new AGENT system shows great promise in helping to prevent stent failure, as studies show that tissue regrowth is significantly diminished with AGENT treatment.” 

 

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center® was the number one enroller in the groundbreaking AGENT study. “We were delighted to be able to bring this new technology to our patients first through research, and now to our cardiac patients,” said Dr. Ziad Ali, Director of the Cardiovascular Institute at St Francis Hospital.

 

"We are proud to be the first hospital in the United States to use this technological advancement,” explained Dr. Charles Lucore, President, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center®.  “Our physicians, researchers and care team consistently strive to offer our patients the most advanced treatment options.”