Crouse Hospital to offer biodegradable cardiac-stent option

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Crouse Hospital says it has become the first hospital in the area to make commercially available the Synergy cardiac stent from Boston Scientific, which features a bioabsorbable polymer drug. 

The drug promotes “faster” arterial healing and “fewer” complications for those with coronary-artery disease, the hospital said in a news release issued Oct. 4.

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration in late 2015 approved the Synergy bioabsorbable polymer drug-eluting stent system.

Both the drug coating and the polymer, which modulates drug release, are “fully absorbed” shortly after drug elution is complete. That happen about three to four months following implantation, leaving behind a bare platinum-chromium stent.

“This stent is a major advancement for interventional cardiology,” Dr. Joseph Battaglia, medical director for cardiac services at Crouse, said in the release. “It has been specifically designed to promote faster, more complete healing of the arteries while decreasing the chance for complications commonly associated with long-term polymer exposure.” 

Interventional cardiologists implant bare metal stents and drug-eluting stents inside the heart’s arteries to open clogged arteries and restore blood flow. 

Drug-eluting stents are coated with medicine that “significantly” reduces restenosis and revascularization procedures. 

While existing stents reduce coronary stenosis, the polymer stays on the stent after the drug is delivered. 

Long-term exposure to the polymer may cause inflammation, which delays healing and has been associated with complications, including clot formation inside the stent, Battaglia said.

Crouse Hospital provides interventional and diagnostic care for “virtually every type” of adult and pediatric heart disorder, including cardiac catheterization, echocardiography/ECG studies and electrophysiology services in its Diane and Bob Miron Cardiac Care Center. 

Crouse also boasts the region’s “only” pediatric cardiac catheterization program. 

In addition, Crouse’s door-to-cardiac intervention times “are among the lowest in the state and country,” the hospital contends.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com