St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center Enrolls First Patient in Global Trial for Innovative Coronary Procedure

 

Catholic Health’s St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center recently enrolled the first patient in a global trial for a new drug-coated balloon (DCB) procedure to treat in-stent restenosis—a narrowing of a coronary artery previously treated with a stent—and de novo small vessel disease.

The Prevail™ paclitaxel-coated balloon, developed by Medtronic, helps to reduce the narrowing of an artery to allow for sufficient blood flow to the heart in patients with coronary artery disease. During the catheter-based percutaneous coronary intervention procedure, the balloon inflates within the artery, while the drug—paclitaxel—is delivered to the arterial tissue, where it is absorbed and retained to provide an anti-restenotic effect to prevent further narrowing and maintain blood flow.

“At St. Francis Hospital, we’re constantly working to develop innovative long-term health solutions for our patients,” said Ziad Ali, MD, director of the DeMatteis Cardiovascular Institute at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center, who performed the procedure. “This procedure represents a significant turning point for the more than 315 million people worldwide diagnosed with coronary artery disease. We take great pride in being the first hospital in the world to enroll patients in this groundbreaking global trial.” 

The Prevail™ paclitaxel-coated balloon catheter procedure builds upon years of previous Prevail™ DCB use to treat other arterial conditions.

“Drug-coated balloons have been used for more than a decade to treat patients with peripheral artery disease,” said Dr. Ali. “This new trial will bring this innovative technology not only to patients with previously treated blockages where stents have failed, but also to those with new blockages in small vessels where stents often perform less effectively. I am confident patients at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center will benefit significantly from this global trial’s findings in the near future.”

“Our physicians are pioneers in their field, constantly innovating new ways to advance patient care,” explains Charles Lucore, MD, MBA, President, St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center.  “Throughout the hospital, our teams provide a level of care and treatment that leads the health care industry.  Ultimately, our patients benefit from their dedication and expertise.”

For more information, https://www.catholichealthli.org/heart-vascular-care