Goodyear hospital performs new heart procedure

Abrazo West Campus has performed its first heart procedure using a drug-coated balloon to reopen a previously placed stent that had become narrowed again, hospital officials said.

The procedure was done earlier this month on a patient whose coronary stent had re-narrowed, a problem that can occur after treatment for heart artery blockages. The condition affects about 1 in 10 patients who undergo catheter-based heart procedures each year in the United States, according to the hospital.

The treatment used the AGENT drug-coated balloon, which delivers medication to the artery during the procedure. Unlike some standard treatments, the approach does not require inserting another metal stent.

“This procedure allowed us to address a very challenging condition while avoiding the need to add another layer of metal to the artery,” said Dr. Richard Pham, an interventional cardiologist and director of cardiology at Abrazo West Campus.

Hospital officials said the addition of the technology expands the types of heart care available at the campus and allows patients in the West Valley to receive advanced treatment closer to home.