Hollywood Private Hospital vascular and endovascular surgeon Stefan Ponosh said the recently approved technology used balloons coated with a precise dose of pharmaceutical agent delivered to the artery wall.
Dr Ponosh said the procedure significantly reduced potential scarring that could result from standard angioplasty or stenting.
He said the scarring, known as neo-intimal hyperplasia, was the most common cause of recurrent symptoms, repeat angiogram procedures and treatment complications.
‘Drug eluting balloons, while not replacing existing treatment techniques, are an invaluable and much-awaited addition to our treatment repertoire,’ he said.
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READ NOW‘While initially only using this technology for restenosis, it is now becoming a first-line treatment, which is very exciting and is showing exceptionally promising results.’
DEB was trialled at Hollywood Private Hospital and recently approved by national Therapeutic Goods Administration.
The technology is expected to improve the quality of patients’ lives by restoring mobility and saving limbs of the severely sick.