Del Sol Medical Center First in El Paso to Perform Drug Coated Balloon Angioplasty of Peripheral Arteries

EL PASO, Texas — Del Sol Medical Center recently became the first hospital in El Paso to perform a drug coated balloon angioplasty of peripheral arteries using the LUTONIX® 035 Drug Coated Balloon PTA Catheter (DCB). Joe Quintana, M.D., an interventional cardiologist with Del Sol Medical Center, performed the angioplasty on Oct. 14.

This DCB is the first and only approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, after pre-dilatation, of de novo or restenotic lesions up to 150mm in length in native superficial femoral or popliteal arteries with reference vessel diameters of 4-6mm. It is used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the femoropopliteal artery, a life-threatening condition that affects millions of Americans by narrowing arteries and reducing blood flow to the limbs, according to the American Heart Association.

“We are committed to bringing innovative care capabilities to our patients, and this technology is a great advancement for PAD patients,” Dr. Quintana said. “This DCB is a new first-line therapy for treating blockages that doesn’t preclude other treatment options down the road. We are excited to be the first hospital in El Paso to offer this new treatment option to patients.”

Patients with PAD in the femoropopliteal arteries are at risk for lower-extremity amputation, particularly in people over the age of 50. Minimally invasive endovascular procedures such as angioplasty balloons and stents, medications and vascular bypass surgery are some of the current treatment options for PAD, but these options may be limited depending on the type of arterial blockage.

Successful treatment of PAD requires improved blood flow (patency) for longer periods of time. A recent clinical study demonstrated superior primary patency with the LUTONIX® 035 DCB for the efficacy endpoint.

For more information about this new procedure available for heart patients at Del Sol Medical Center, please visit LPDS Healthcare.