New Technique Opens Hardened Coronary Arteries

Plaque build-up in the arteries, or atherosclerosis, is the cause of heart attack. This plaque is usually soft and pliable and a cardiologist uses a procedure called balloon angioplasty to push open the plaque build-up in narrowed arteries to restore blood flow. However, in up to 40 percent of patients who need this procedure, this plaque that has been building for a long time can become calcified or hardened where a standard balloon procedure is not effective. Fortunately, the FDA has approved a new technology to remove this hardened plaque called the Diamondback 360.

The Diamondback 360 is essentially an orbital sander literally coated with diamonds for an extra-fine grit to open hardened plaque build-up. Interventional cardiologist, Dr. Samir Patel, who was first to use the technology in the coronary arteries in our area says ” This technique has been successful for several years in treating the long, relatively straight blood vessels in the legs when calcified lesions are present, however this is the first device approved for use in the arteries around the heart.”

The tiny round device uses centrifugal force to sand away the calcification while the flexible, healthy tissue flexes away. As with any sanding process, particulates are produced, however these are far smaller than the blood cells and do not create any further blockages. Once the hardened plaque is removed, a stent can be placed to hold open the artery.

“Clinical trials of this device prior to FDA approval have shown it be highly safe and effective in treating patients with these very difficult coronary lesions,” says Dr. Patel. “At medical centers without advanced technology and techniques such as this for blocked and calcified arteries, these patients might not receive treatment other than medications. The blockage would remain and so would the symptoms that come with it such as chest pain and shortness of breath and leave the patient at increased risk of heart attack.”

Dr. Patel used the new coronary device for the first time in April at Bay Medical Sacred Heart, the only facility in our area offering this technology.