Appleton Medical Center One of Six in Nation Picked to Use New Technology
Interventional cardiologist Cherian Varghese, MD, treated a local patient at Appleton Medical Center with a newly approved coronary stent, making this the first patient in Northeastern Wisconsin to benefit from this new, faster-healing technology.
The SYNERGY Everolimus-Eluting Platinum Chromium Coronary Stent was approved for use by the Federal Drug Administration on Oct. 5. Stents are tiny mesh tubes doctors use to prop open clogged arteries, allowing blood to flow freely to the heart. ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care was selected as 1 of 6 programs in the nation to adopt this new technology.
“Bringing the most advanced medical technologies to our community directly supports our mission to provide outstanding and innovative patient care,” said Brian Guttormsen, MD, medical director interventional cardiology for ThedaCare.
The SYNERGY stent is being studied in more than 15,000 patients worldwide and has the documented outstanding safety and efficacy of the bioabsorbable polymer everoliumus eluting platinum chromium stent.
“The early adoption of the SYNERGY stent, the first and only bioabsorbable polymer drug eluting stent in the U.S., reinforces our commitment to deliver advanced treatment to patients in Northeastern Wisconsin and surrounding communities,” said Shane Smith, director of cardiovascular services for ThedaCare.
Manufactured by Boston Scientific, the SYNERGY stent, with its bioabsorbable polymer, offers simultaneous drug and polymer absorption. Designed for faster healing, the stent offers what patients need when they need it — medicine, which inhibits coronary blockages from recurring, and freedom from permanent polymer exposure, which has been associated with complications such as vessel re-narrowing and blood clots.
“We are pleased to be working closely with the interventional cardiologists at ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care so patients can access this innovative technology,” said Kevin Ballinger, president of interventional cardiology with Boston Scientific. “In development for over 10 years, the SYNERGY stent reflects our commitment to bringing meaningful change to interventional cardiologists with the most complete portfolio of clinical solutions to best treat their patients. We are excited to bring this transformative technology to U.S. facilities that provide best-in-class patient care.”
ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care is a comprehensive program comprised of 16 cardiologists and three cardiothoracic surgeons that serve Northeastern Wisconsin. ThedaCare cardiovascular services includes an Internationally Accredited Chest Pain Center, making ThedaCare a destination for emergent cardiac care. The cardiovascular care specialties include adult cardiology, interventional cardiology, electrophysiology, cardiothoracic surgery, structural heart, vascular medicine, and preventive cardiovascular services. In addition, the services include a fully accredited cardiovascular imaging and cardiac rehabilitation programs. ThedaCare Cardiovascular provides services at all seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as other clinics in 14 counties.
About ThedaCare
For more than 100 years, ThedaCare™ has been committed to finding a better way to deliver serious and complex healthcare to patients throughout Northeast Wisconsin. The organization serves over 200,000 patients annually and employs more than 6,800 healthcare professionals throughout the region. ThedaCare has seven hospitals located in Appleton, Neenah, Berlin, Waupaca, Shawano, New London and Wild Rose as well as 35 clinics in 14 counties. ThedaCare is the first in Wisconsin to be a Mayo Clinic Care Network Member, giving our specialists the ability to consult with Mayo Clinic experts on a patient’s care. ThedaCare is a non-profit healthcare organization with a level II trauma center, comprehensive cancer treatment, stroke and cardiac programs as well as a foundation dedicated to community service. Construction of ThedaCare Regional Cancer Center in Appleton is underway. For more information, visit www.thedacare.org or follow ThedaCare on Facebook and Twitter.
About Boston Scientific
Boston Scientific transforms lives through innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients around the world. As a global medical technology leader for more than 30 years, we advance science for life by providing a broad range of high performance solutions that address unmet patient needs and reduce the cost of healthcare. For more information, visit www.bostonscientific.com and connect on Twitter and Facebook.
