Rutherford Regional introduces enhanced technology to treat calcified coronary plaque

Rutherfordton, NC (August 2024) – Rutherford Regional Health System, a Duke LifePoint facility, recently announced an innovative treatment option for patients with severely calcified coronary artery disease. The new technology is an enhanced application of lithotripsy, an approach that uses sonic pressure waves to safely break up kidney stones. It is widely used to treat problematic calcium in the coronary arteries that can reduce blood flow in the heart.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women.^[i] Each year, more than 700,000 people in the United States die of heart disease. For people suffering from heart disease, specifically those with coronary artery disease, as they grow older and as their disease progresses, plaque in the arteries evolves into calcium deposits, which can narrow the artery.

Calcium makes the artery rigid and more difficult to reopen with conventional treatments. The new technology, known as intravascular lithotripsy or IVL, allows physicians to fracture the problematic calcium – using sonic pressure waves – so that the artery can be safely expanded, and blood flow is restored through the placement of a stent with minimal complications.ⁱⁱⁱ The new version of the catheter allows for more complex calcium to be treated with more shock waves per catheter included – up to 120 in each catheter, which will allow physicians to treat longer segments of calcified plaque.

“The cardiology team at Rutherford Regional is committed to giving our patients access to the latest cardiovascular innovations to treat heart disease,” said Dr. Brian Hearon, board-certified cardiologist with FryeCare Cardiology - Rutherford. “Empowered by this new IVL technology, we are excited to be treating some of the most complex forms of heart disease in our most challenging patient cases, all while remaining committed to improving patient outcomes for the benefit of the community.”

An accredited Chest Pain center, Rutherford Regional Health System is recognized by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) for its commitment to a higher standard of care for emergency cardiac services, continual quality improvement in heart care, and community education and resources to help keep hearts healthy.

For more information on heart and vascular services available at Rutherford Regional or to take a free heart health assessment, visit MyRutherfordRegional.com/heart-and-vascular.

[i] https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/index.html