Interventional Cardiologists Perform the Southern Maryland Region’s First Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Procedure at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center

Clinton, MD – Interventional cardiologist, Sonia Samtani, MD, and an all-female team of specialists, performed the region’s first drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty in April at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center. DCB is a new treatment for patients with in-stent restenosis (ISR). The novel therapy delivers targeted treatment for re-narrowing of a previously stented coronary artery and demonstrates MedStar Southern Maryland’s expanding capacity to deliver complex coronary interventions to the Southern Maryland region.

ISR is a condition where a previously stented coronary artery narrows again, restricting blood flow. This re-narrowing is often caused by scar tissue at the site of the original stent. According to Dr. Samtani, the procedure is currently indicated for patients who have had a stent (or double-layer stent) and experience restenosis (narrowing).

“With the addition of the drug-coated balloon angioplasty, we can treat patients effectively right here in the community without having to introduce an extra layer of metal with a stent in the coronary vessel,” Dr. Samtani said.

“In-stent restenosis can be challenging, especially if a patient has multiple stents in place,” said Brian Case, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology. “Not all restenosis cases are the same, which is why we need different tools in our toolbox to treat the condition. Having the drug-coated balloon as one of those tools is a great addition that will benefit our patient population in Southern Maryland.”

How Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty Works

The drug-coated balloon procedure is performed in the hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab by a highly trained team of interventional cardiology specialists. As with a traditional balloon angioplasty procedure to open blocked arteries, the patient is sedated, and a small guide wire and catheter with a special balloon tip are inserted through the wrist or groin to access the blocked artery. The drug-coated balloon is inserted into the artery and inflated so that it contacts the artery walls, allowing the anti-proliferative drug (a drug that prevents excessive tissue growth and keeps the artery open) to be released and absorbed into the walls of the artery. Once absorbed, the drug helps keep the artery open and prevents future narrowing without the use of a metal stent.

The benefits of using the drug-coated balloon include:

• No metal stents
• Minimally invasive
• Procedure can be repeated if re-narrowing occurs in the future
• Reduction in complications from metal stent and scar tissue formation

Drug-coated balloons have been used in the peripheral vessels for decades, but the technique was recently FDA-approved for use in the coronary arteries following years of clinical trials. The procedure is also gaining traction in the treatment of small vessel disease, where vessels are too small for stent placement. A clinical trial is underway at MedStar Southern Maryland to investigate the efficacy of drug-coated balloon angioplasty in tiny, delicate coronary vessels.

“Adding new advanced technologies like the drug-coated balloon elevates the hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization capabilities, allowing us to provide advanced, lifesaving procedures close to home,” said Dr. Case.

Dr. Samtani added, “The innovation that is happening in the hospital’s Cardiac Catheterization Lab has been truly exciting, and I'm very fortunate to be a part of it.”

For more information on the heart and vascular services available at MedStar Health, please visit MedStarHealth.org/Heart.