Archbold interventional cardiologist Clay Sizemore, MD, successfully implanted a first-of-its-kind dissolvable stent, making it the first FDA-approved case completed in the state of Georgia.
The device is a newly FDA-approved treatment option for people with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) below-the-knee (BTK). CLTI is a serious form of peripheral artery disease (PAD). CLTI BTK occurs when arteries become clogged with plaque, preventing blood flow and oxygen from reaching the lower leg and foot. This advancement is designed to keep arteries open and deliver a drug to support vessel before the stent dissolves over time. More than 20 million people in the US are living with PAD, a painful and disabling disease. Unfortunately, treatments for below-the-knee blockages were limited due to small vessels and a high incidence of recurrence.
“This procedure is a significant step forward in the treatment of limb-threatening blockages below the knee,” Dr. Sizemore said. “Bioabsorbable scaffolds combined with existing minimally invasive technologies are allowing us to improve long-term patency and therefore limb salvage. Avoiding amputations requires a sophisticated team of providers, including local podiatrists like Viet Anh Vu, DPM, who first recognized our patient’s threatened limb,” Dr. Sizemore added.
The Esprit BTK System joins other recent advances in cardiovascular care at Archbold, including patent foramen ovale (PFO) closure and a newly renovated cardiac catheterization lab. “The introduction of this procedure at Archbold, and to be the first FDA-approved case performed in the state, demonstrates our mission to provide the residents of our region with the most advanced treatment options available,” said Darcy Craven, Archbold president and CEO. “I am proud of our team for their commitment to bringing the latest advancements to Thomasville so our patients don’t have to travel to receive the best care.”