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Fairfield Medical Center Offers Minimally Invasive Laser Treatment for Coronary Artery Disease

Cool Laser System Removes Artery Blockages to Restore Blood Flow to the Heart

LANCASTER, Ohio (June 21, 2011) – Fairfield Medical Center today announced that it is offering a new treatment option for patients suffering from coronary artery disease (CAD). It is the first in the area to use a spectranetics’ excimer laser atherectomy system, which is designed to eliminate artery blockages and restore blood flow in the heart.

Coronary arteries are the primary blood vessels that surround the heart and are responsible for providing blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. Coronary Artery Disease occurs when the coronary arteries become narrowed or blocked by a buildup of plaque (cholesterol or other materials). When the blockage is severe, the flow of blood and oxygen to your heart muscle is reduced, causing chest pain (called angina). A sudden and complete blockage can lead to a heart attack.

In an effort to provide the highest-quality patient care, Fairfield Medical Center is now offering patients a new treatment option for CAD—excimer laser atherectomy. Excimer laser atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that treats blockages within arteries. It uses light energy from the ultraviolet spectrum, similar to the light used in LASIK for eye surgery. Spectranetics’ cool excimer laser produces pulsed bursts of ultraviolet (UV) light energy that vaporize blockages in the arteries. This energy is transmitted along flexible glass fibers encased in tiny catheters, which can be passed through the arteries right to the location of the blockage. The UV light energy is then focused on the blockages that need to be treated, restoring blood flow and preparing the vessel for additional therapies such as stents.

“When the coronary arteries are substantially blocked, we often cannot get the catheter to go where we need it to go,” said Dr Sinha. “The excimer laser technology allows us to remove enough plaque and prepare the vessel so we can successfully complete the procedure.”

Fairfield Medical Center recommends that you talk to your physician about the risks and benefits of laser coronary atherectomy or any other procedure you may be considering. For more information about minimally invasive laser treatment for coronary artery disease at Fairfield Medical Center, please call Dr. Sinha’s office at (740) 653-7511.

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