Two weeks ago, Dr. Kereiakes treated Mr. Elfers with radiation after one of the stents began to clog. Had I not went through with the radiation, they would have had to do open heart surgery again. In recent years, the use of stents has rapidly moved from an experimental procedure to an everyday part of cardiac care. Like Vice President Cheney, thousands of Tristate residents are living today with stents. Doctors closely affiliated with Christ Hospital install more than 2,500 stents a year.
Most patients do well with stents.
It's the only thing so far that has had a dramatic effect in preventing recurring scar tissue formation. So far, the U.S. FDA has approved two products that deliver radiation to a blocked coronary artery. Cincinnati-area patients have participated in testing these products through the Lindner Center, Dr. Kereiakes said. Novoste Corp. This device uses a beta radiation source to fight scar tissue build-up. At Christ Hospital, doctors are performing five to seven treatments a week using this system, even as testing of other systems continues, Dr. Kereiakes said.