Tuesday, February 18, 2025
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New Heart Procedure Comes To CRMC

Cookeville Regional celebrating a milestone in cardiovascular care, performing its first procedure with a drug-coated balloon.

Cardiologist Stacy Brewington said the AGENT Balloon is used to treat peripheral artery disease and coronary artery disease. It opens narrowed arteries and delivers medication directly to the artery walls. Brewington said the operation takes roughly thirty minutes and in most circumstances, patients can go home the same day.

“It’s another tool in our toolbox to treat coronary artery disease, make people live linger, prevent heart attacks and to reduce symptoms of blockages,” Brewington said. “Chest pains, shortness of breath, fatigue, low energy.”

Brewington said his prediction is five to ten percent of patients will be treated with this balloon as time goes by. Brewington said the balloon minimizes systemic drug exposure and reduces the likelihood of long-term complications associated with other treatments, such as bare-metal stents.

Brewington said the benefits include a lower risk of repeat interventions and a more effective long-term solution for patients. Brewington said this is going to be used mostly on older adults, diabetics, and smokers.

“Symptomatic Coronary Artery Disease is what we treat, people who are having chest pains, shortness of breath or fatigue.” Brewington said. “Or possible even in the midst of having a Heart Attack.”

Brewington said while the Drug Coated Balloon patients who have a re-narrowing of a previously inside of previously placed stent. Brewington said he wants to find ways to use the DCB for other ways to help patients.

“However, as with all new stools, well find a place to use this outside of that, for instance a small blood vessel or possibly at a spot where two blood vessels come together, using the DCB they make the procedure more successful from the get go,” Brewington said.

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