Coronary artery disease affects an estimated 15-million people in the United States. Cardiologists often use stents to help widen the affected artery, and they are traditionally made of metal. Over the years, stents have evolved and the newest stent approved by the FDA is Abbott's Absorb heart stent. Absorb is made of a naturally dissolving material, similar to dissolving sutures. It takes about three years to completely dissolve in the body, after it has done its job of keeping a clogged artery open and promoting healing of the treated artery segment. Metal stents are permanent implants that can eventually restrict vessel motion or lead to other complications. More than 150,000 people in more than 100 countries have been treated with this dissolvable technology - including more than 100,000 patients in U.S. clinical studies.
Dr. Nathan Ho is a Cardiologist with Carson Tahoe Health. He expects the Absorb stent will arrive in Northern Nevada early next year. To learn more, contact Carson Tahoe Health at (775) 445-7650. For more information on Absorb, including safety information, please visit www.dissolvingstent.com.
