HCA Florida Brandon Hospital cardiac stent patients have new options to clear blockages

The cardiac catheterization laboratory at HCA Florida Brandon Hospital started treating patients with a new drug-coated balloon catheter to open blocked or narrowed stents in the heart. The condition that this new heart disease procedure cares for is called in-stent restenosis.

It occurs when an artery or other large blood vessel with a prior stent becomes narrow and more difficult to treat. With this procedure, a blockage in the artery is opened with a combination of the balloon and drug that breaks up the plaque build-up in the stent, so blood can circulate through the heart once again.

"We utilized this new drug-coated balloon catheter, effectively opening blocked arteries without re-stenting. By relieving blockages with this technique, we are returning blood flow to the heart, hence improving the long-term outcomes for patients. Many of these patients thought they had no other options left. This truly gives them a new lease on life," said Dr. Umesh Gowda, interventional cardiologist at Brandon Hospital.

This procedure is at the cutting-edge of cardiac care with its recent FDA approval and shows Brandon Hospital's commitment to care excellence. Brandon Hospital holds the prestigious three-star (of three stars) overall designation from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Only 10% of open-heart programs nationwide achieve this honor for outstanding patient care and outcomes. Brandon Hospital is considered among the elite for general thoracic surgery in the United States and Canada.

Patients who receive this outpatient procedure are discharged that day to recover at home. When in-stent artery blockages are opened, the risk for a potential cardiac event, such as a heart attack, is decreased.

Patients are able to return to their active daily lives and may feel increased energy and less shortness of breath. Interventional cardiologists recommend that patients follow up with their cardiologist after this outpatient procedure to monitor their cardiac condition.