Atrium Health pioneers heart disease treatment

ATRIUM HEALTH

A team at Artium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute was the first in the Carolinas to use a balloon procedure to treat coronary in-stent restenosis on May 28.

Atrium Health is the first Carolinas hospital to use a new treatment for coronary disease.

A cardiovascular team at Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute last month used an FDA-approved device for drug-coated balloon treatment of coronary in-stent restenosis. The procedure took place May 28 at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center.

Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease and the leading cause of death worldwide. CAD develops when coronary arteries that supply the heart with blood, oxygen and nutrients are damaged or diseased, usually by cholesterol-containing plaque. Over time, CAD can lead to chest pain, shortness of breath and other symptoms. It can lead to heart attacks, which can necessitate interventions like stenting and drug-coated balloons.

Stent restenosis occurs after the placement of a stent, which is a tiny tube used to keep an artery open. Restenosis is a re-narrowing of the artery at the stent site, typically caused by scar tissue and proliferation of the arterial wall cells, which leads to a reduction in blood flow.

"Historically, stent restenosis has posed a substantial challenge, often leading to severe lifestyle limitations for patients,” said Dr. Nyal Borges, an interventional cardiologist who performed the milestone surgery. “The introduction of drug-coated balloon therapy marks a significant breakthrough, offering symptomatic relief and reducing the rate of restenosis, thereby improving our patients’ quality of life substantially."

The new Boston Scientific Agent drug-coated balloon procedure delivers a dose of paclitaxel directly to the artery wall, which prevents the recurrence of ISR. The procedure has proven statistical superiority compared to conventional treatments in a year-long clinical trial involving 600 patients across 40 U.S. sites.

"Prior to advancements like this, options were limited to less effective therapies that did not adequately address the underlying issues of stent restenosis,” Borges said.

The procedure is performed in a cardiac catheterization lab. Patients can expect to return home the same day, a few hours post-operation. Following the procedure, patients are closely monitored in an outpatient setting to ensure sustained symptomatic relief. The post-treatment prognosis is promising, with many patients returning to their daily activities with markedly improved heart function and significantly reduced symptoms.

"This initiative not only underscores our commitment to pioneering heart care but also positions Atrium Health Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute as a leader in the Southeast for innovative cardiovascular therapies," said Borges. "Our ability to now offer this treatment provides a significant beacon of hope for our patients afflicted with coronary artery disease."

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