Lafayette General Medical Center and Cardiovascular Institute of the South Offer Acadiana’s Only FDA-Approved Drug Coated Balloon to Patients

Lafayette General Medical Center (LGMC) and Cardiovascular Institute of the South are among the first, and the few, in Louisiana to offer the Lutonix® 035 Drug Coated Balloon PTA Catheter (DCB) to patients. This drug coated balloon catheter is the only one of its kind approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for opening blockages in the legs and maintaining circulation.

The device is similar to a standard balloon, which is used to open arteries, however it also releases a drug treatment to the area which reduces narrowing and improves blood flow. Additionally, it does not remain in the body, allowing for more treatment options in the future.

“We are excited to be the first hospital in Lafayette, and the second facility in Louisiana, to offer this new treatment option to our patients,” said Dr. Nick Cavros, cardiologist for LGMCand CIS. “The Lutonix® 035 DCB is a new first-line therapy for treating blockages without closing the door to other treatment options down the road, which is an important consideration as we help our patients manage this painful, progressive and debilitating disease.”

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a life-threatening condition affecting millions of Americans. It is caused by the narrowing of arteries and the reduction of blood flow to the limbs. Patients with PAD in arteries of the leg and/or foot are at risk for lower-limb amputations, particularly in people over the age of 50. Minimally-invasive procedures such as balloons and stents, medications and vascular bypass surgery are some of the accepted ways to treat PAD, but these options may be limited, depending on the type of blockage. Successful treatment of PAD requires improved blood flow for longer periods of time, and a recent clinical study of the Lutonix® 035 DCB demonstrated superior primary patency when evaluated for effectiveness.

For the past three years, LGMC and CIS have teamed together to bring cutting-edge technology to Acadiana. In this time, they have introduced many significant medical breakthroughs to the area, including the utilization of the Impella, the world’s smallest heart pump, the Closys Closure System, which is used after an interventional procedure, and the ASPIRE Aspirator, a hand-held mechanical aspirator system which removes blood clots and increases blood flow.

“We will continue to offer these innovations in care to our patients,” explains Dr. Cavros.