Del Sol Medical Center First in El Paso to Treat Coronary Artery Disease with New Technology

EL PASO, Texas—Del Sol Medical Center recently became the first hospital in El Paso to treat coronary artery disease with the Diamondback 360® Coronary Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) from Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. (CSI). The technology is the first evidence-based atherectomy approved by the FDA to treat severely calcified coronary arteries, a common occurrence that can lead to significant health complications. Ediberto Soto-Cora, M.D., a cardiologist at Del Sol Medical Center, has used this technology on 24 patients this year.

“This new technology is a great advancement for patients with coronary artery disease—a life-threatening condition and the leading cause of death for men and women in the United States,” Jacob Cintron, chief executive officer for Del Sol Medical Center, said. “The addition of this technology is part of our ongoing effort to provide the most effective and innovative cardiac care possible.”

The minimally invasive procedure uses a mounted 1.25-millimeter diamond-coated crown to gently sand away plaque and calcium in severely calcified coronary arteries. The orbiting motion of the crown creates centrifugal force that causes the calcium to diminish while simultaneously causing healthy tissue to flex away, increasing the artery’s diameter and enabling stent deployment.

“Arterial calcium can lead to significant complications in patients, especially when not treated properly,” Dr. Soto said. “The safety and effectiveness of this technology to treat severely calcified coronary lesions is a great benefit to our cardiovascular patients.”

In a large clinical study involving 443 patients at 49 medical centers throughout the United States, 89.6 percent of patients went without major adverse cardiac events for the first 30 days following the procedure. It was the first study to successfully support treating severely calcified coronary arteries using an investigational device.

Dr. Soto has used this technology on 24 patients this year.

For more information about the cardiac care available at Del Sol Medical Center or to contact the hospital about this technology, please visit our cardiac rehabilitation page.

The El Paso Times and KVIA recently featured the latest patient in El Paso to benefit from this new technology.