JAX,FL Cardiologists use breakthrough device (Coated Stent)

http://jacksonville.bizjournals.com ^ | 4-30-03 | Jax Bizz journal

[OXENinFLA]

St. Vincent's cardiologists use breakthrough device

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved an eagerly-awaited type of stent that releases a drug to help keep unblocked arteries from clogging up again - a process called restenosis. Less than 24 hours after FDA approval, cardiologists at St. Vincent's began using the new stent for some of their patients.

"It's virtually impossible to exaggerate what a major advance this represents in cardiology," said Dr. Carlos Alosilla, an interventional cardiologist at St. Vincent's. "In the past, the number of patients who suffered another blockage within a year would run between 15 and 30 percent. This new stent reduces that to single digits. Obviously, this technology is a major step forward. I think it's going to be phenomenal for our patients who undergo angioplasty."

Angioplasty is one of the most well known, minimally invasive options for the treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD). Through a small incision in the femoral artery, a

[OXENinFLA]

Found this intersting. I heard about these before, I'm glad to see they are being put to use now.

[SMEDLEYBUTLER]

stent

[Chesner]

Too bad Medicare won't pay for the entire cost of the stent. The hospital may stand to lose big $.

[cksharks]

If these had been on the market ten yrs ago I might not have needed a heart transplant.I had angioplasti three times.

[monkeyshine]

Good news, this will bring the cost of medicine down by reducing the number of people who need to have second, third or more stints. Sounds like a great device and a great idea.

[monkeyshine]

stent, sorry.