Breakthrough Dissolving Heart Stent Offered at Manatee Memorial
Brandenton, FL — The interventional cardiology team at Manatee Memorial Hospital recently became the first in Manatee and Sarasota counties to offer patients with coronary artery disease a new treatment option that literally disappears over time.
S. Jay Mathews, MD, cardiologist with Bradenton Cardiology Center, implanted the first Abbott Absorb™ GT1 Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold stent into a male patient, age 52, at the Manatee Heart and Vascular Center at Manatee Memorial Hospital.
The Absorb™ GT1 Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold stent opens clogged arteries to restore blood flow and gradually dissolves in the body—reducing the risk of future blockages that can occur with metal stents. This implant is the world's first FDA-approved dissolving heart stent.
While stents are traditionally made of metal, the Absorb stent is made of a naturally dissolving material, similar to dissolving sutures. It disappears completely in about three years, except for two pairs of tiny metallic markers that remain in the artery to enable a physician to see where the device was placed, after it has done its job of keeping a clogged artery open and promoting healing of the treated artery segment. By contrast, metal stents are permanent implants.
“The Absorb stent is a major advancement in the treatment of coronary artery disease. The patient’s artery is able to function more naturally than when a traditional, metal stent is used. The treated artery can pulse and flex more naturally and the dissolving stent may also reduce the potential of future blockage that may occur with metallic stents,” Dr. Mathews explained. “I am thrilled to be the first cardiologist to have completed this first procedure at Manatee Memorial Hospital.”
Kevin DiLallo, CEO of Manatee Healthcare System stated, “This breakthrough treatment for coronary artery disease follows our commitment to improving patient care and investing in innovative medical technology. We are proud to be the first hospital in Manatee and Sarasota counties to offer this procedure to our patients.”
Manatee Memorial Hospital’s interventional cardiology team underwent extensive training on the new device. In addition to Dr. Mathews, René Celis, MD; Erick E Calderon, MD; Srinivas Iyengar, MD and James Nguyen, MD have completed the Absorb™ GT1 Bioresorbable Vascular Scaffold stent training.