On
February 5, Aurora St. Luke's Medical Center aired footage of an actual drug-eluting
stent procedure. This treatment has helped cut the need for a second heart
procedure by more than half for many patients with blocked arteries.
Drug-eluting stents: Biggest breakthrough in cardiac care in 10 years
Not since the approval of stents in 1994, has a new
technological advance revolutionized the treatment of coronary artery disease.
Drug-eluting stents have a significant impact on restenosis, a re-narrowing of
coronary arteries after angioplasty. These stents can help prevent restenosis
from occurring, saving at-risk patients from having to undergo additional
treatments to correct the problem only months after their angioplasty.
At St. Luke's many cardiologists have been and continue
to be involved in several landmark trials. With angioplasty, the restenosis rate
was about 30 to 50% which was reduced to 10 to 30% when bare stents came out 10
years ago. However, with drug-eluting stents, the restenosis rate is only 3 to
10%, greatly improving patient outcomes.
How do drug-eluting stents work?
A drug-eluting stent is coated with a drug that is
bonded to a stent for a timed release into the surrounding tissue of the artery.
While the stent functions to keep the artery walls open, the drug works to slow
the growth of unwanted cells (restenosis) and allows the vessel to heal.
New option benefits high-risk patients
For the 10-15% of patients who will battle restenosis,
the drug-eluting stent is a breakthrough that will enhance their quality of
life. Instead of experiencing the return of chest pain, shortness of breath or
other signs of a blockage, or undergoing additional treatments like
brachytherapy or re-stenting, angioplasty patients can lead a healthy
comfortable life. This option is available at St. Luke's and from the results we
have seen, it will make a difference for many high-risk patients, like those
with diabetes or renal failure.
The future of drug-eluting stents is promising. Since
the first balloon angioplasty performed 25 years ago, the problem of restenosis
has plagued physicians and patients and now a cure is on the horizon. As more
stents undergo studies here at St. Luke's and elsewhere, the FDA is expected to
approve more versions and we will gain a better understanding of which patients
will benefit most from this advancement.
To find a St. Luke's Heart Care physician,
click here or call 1-888-973-2663.
St.
Lukes Heart Care
For the 10-15% of patients who will battle restenosis,
the drug-eluting stent is a breakthrough that will enhance their quality of
life. Instead of experiencing the return of chest pain, shortness of breath or
other signs of a blockage, or undergoing additional treatments like
brachytherapy or re-stenting, angioplasty patients can lead a healthy
comfortable life. This option is available at St. Luke's and from the results we
have seen, it will make a difference for many high-risk patients, like those
with diabetes or renal failure.