Amman Surgical Hospital recently conducted its first bio-absorbable vascular stent implantations under the supervision of Dr Hadi Abu Hantash, an interventional cardiologist.

The new Absorb scaffolds, which were successfully implanted in several patients who had blocked coronary arteries and needed a percutaneous coronary intervention, will provide the patients with support until it dissolves within approximately six up to 12 months after being implanted, leaving them with a treated vessel free of a permanent metallic implant.

“The new device heralds a new era in angioplasty given its high capability in curing no less than 20 per cent of clogged coronary vessels. In addition, the implantation enjoys a high success rate and the time each operation takes is similar to that needed for implanting the traditionally-used coronary stents,” said Dr Abu Hantash.

“Absorb scaffold is available in seven different measurement ranges, making it a promising tool to be used in the future in the treatment of all blocked coronary arteries.”

Recent studies on Absorb scaffold indicate that, like the drug eluting metal stents, it entails administering long-term dual anti-platelet therapy to patients for 12 months.

The time needed for using the dual remedy with the bio-absorbable vascular stents may be reduced in the future from 12 months to up to three months, he said.

“The medical sector in Jordan pays special heed to hiring highly experienced physicians and deploying the most recent technologies and techniques in the treatment of artery diseases, making the county a destination of choice for many patients coming from the Mena region to receive advanced healthcare services,” said Dr Abu Hantash, a part-time instructor at the University of Jordan’s faculty of medicine.

“Absorb is made of Polylactide, a proven biocompatible material that is commonly used in medical implants such as absorbable sutures,” he said. “Unlike the old bare and drug eluting metal stents, the new device leaves behind a treated vessel free of a permanent metallic implant.”

Absorb was developed by Abbott Vascular, the global leader in cardiac and vascular care, marking a new era in angioplasty. – TradeArabia News Service