Bingham Memorial is First Idaho Hospital to Use a New Technology for Treatment of Coronary Artery Disease
Bingham Memorial Hospital was the first hospital in the state of Idaho, and one of the first in the country, to use a new, minimally invasive catheter system to treat a high-risk patient with coronary artery disease (CAD). Bingham Memorial’s leading Cardiologist, B. Shields Stutts, MD, worked in concert with the hospital’s interventional radiology team to complete the procedure. They used the Diamondback 360® Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS), developed by Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI).
“Bingham Memorial Hospital is on the leading edge of innovative cardiac care,” says Dr. Stutts. “The hospital selected this revolutionary technology based on studies of its safety and effectiveness in treating severely calcified coronary lesions. The OAS provides our patients undergoing coronary intervention procedures with the first evidence-based option approved by the FDA for this difficult to treat patient population.” The use of this system results in much lower restenosis (reoccurring blockage) rates—a major problem for heavily calcified arteries.
According to the American Heart Association, 16.3 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with CAD. CAD is the most common form of heart disease and claims more than 600,000 lives, or 1 in 4 Americans, in the United States each year.
“Patients with CAD and calcified vessels have always been challenging to treat,” says Dr. Stutts. “In the past, the devices that have been used to remove plaque/calcium have proven to be ineffective or have not been shown to reduce rates of restenosis. Whereas the OAS has proven to be effective. Additionally, the technology of this device promises to cause less residual damage or rupture of the vessels treated.”
The OAS uses a diamond-coated crown attached to an orbiting shaft, which sands away plaque while preserving healthy blood vessel tissue. The unique mechanism of action flexes away from the vessel wall, resulting in little to no damage to the artery. Calcium build-up in the arteries is a common occurrence and can lead to significant complications. Nearly 40 percent of patients undergoing coronary intervention in the U.S. have moderate to severe arterial calcium present.
“Once the minimally invasive surgery is complete, adequate blood flow and normal delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the heart are restored, which helps to prevent future complications,” explains Dr. Stutts. “The more advanced stages of blockage may have warranted open heart surgery in the past, but this technology helps to treat higher risk patients and patients where calcium build-up prevents the passage of balloons and/or stents.”
This long-awaited technology is now available for the first time to patients in Idaho as a result of Bingham Memorial’s investment. Benefits for patients include: reduced procedure times, shorter stays in the hospital, faster recovery times, and reduced risk of infection. These advantages all translate into better outcomes and a higher standard of care.
“Investing in this latest technology means we continue to strive for the highest standards in medicine,” says Louis Kraml, CEO of Bingham Memorial Hospital. “This enables us to continue moving forward with confidence in our endeavor to provide the highest quality of patient care. Our patients can be assured the procedures they receive are being done accurately and precisely.”
About Coronary Arterial Disease
CAD is a life-threatening condition and leading cause of death in men and women in the United States. CAD occurs when a fatty material called plaque builds up on the walls of arteries that supply blood to the heart. The plaque buildup causes the arteries to harden and narrow (atherosclerosis), reducing blood flow. The risk of CAD increases if a person has one or more of the following: high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol levels, diabetes, or family history of early heart disease. According to estimates, significant arterial calcium is present in nearly 40 percent of patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Significant calcium contributes to poor outcomes and higher treatment costs in coronary interventions when traditional therapies are used, including a significantly higher occurrence of death and major adverse coronary events (MACE).
About Bingham Memorial Hospital
Bingham Memorial Hospital is a 501(c)3 non-profit critical access hospital located in Blackfoot, Idaho. Bingham Memorial Hospital is committed to the pursuit of excellence in our endeavor to provide a continuum of quality, compassionate, healthcare services for residents and visitors to east Idaho, in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. They have healthcare facilities in Blackfoot, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Shelley, and Soda Springs, Idaho. For more information, visit binghamhealthcare.org or call (208) 785-4100.
About Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.
Cardiovascular Systems, Inc., based in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a rapidly growing medical device company focused on developing innovative solutions for treating vascular and coronary disease. For more information, visit the company’s website at www.csi360.com.
Media Contact:
Mark Baker
Director of Public Relations & Marketing
98 Poplar Street
Blackfoot, ID 83221
208.785.3858 – 208.782.2864 (fax)
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