CCH First Hospital in Carolinas With New Stent Procedure

Central Carolina Hospital has become the first hospital in North and South Carolina to perform the new Spur RST (Retrievable Scaffold Therapy) stent procedure to treat below-the-knee (BTK) tibial arterial disease.

The procedure, which helps restore blood flow in below-the-knee arteries by opening them with a retrievable stent, was performed on June 23 by Rajiv Swamy, MD, interventional cardiologist, in CCH’s Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory. It is most often performed on patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI), a form of peripheral arterial disease which, if not treated, can lead to severe pain, ulcers, wounds not healing and possible amputation.

Below-the-knee (BTK) tibial arterial disease refers to the narrowing or blockage of arteries below the knee, specifically the tibial arteries, which are crucial for supplying blood to the lower leg and foot. Treatment options for these types of patients include endovascular procedures such as angioplasty, atherectomy and stenting, as well as surgical bypass, with the goal of restoring adequate blood flow to the affected limb.

The procedure performed by Dr. Swamy uses a special scaffolding stent created by ReflowMedical. The retrievable stent is placed in conjunction with a balloon catheter, which represents a major advancement in treatment for BTK tibial arterial disease – especially for patients with complex, calcified narrowing in the lower leg arteries.

The Spur stent system is the first and only retrievable stent system that features a self-expanding stent with built-in balloon dilation technology. It’s designed to temporarily support the artery and improve blood flow by widening blockages – all without leaving a permanent implant behind.

“As a self-expanding, retrievable stent, this new system is designed for controlled penetration to maximize treatment outcomes without compromising on patient safety,” said Dr. Swamy. “This technology allows us to deliver safer, more effective care to patients who previously had limited treatment options.” The procedure has a 99.2 percent technical success rate, making it a highly effective solution for even the most complex cases where traditional balloons or stents may not be sufficient.

This is another pioneering first for Carolina Carolina Hospital, which last year performed the first below-the-knee stent procedure in North Carolina for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI).

“Under Dr. Swamy’s expert medical leadership, we are proud to be the first hospital in the Carolinas to offer this type of innovative approach to treating patients with peripheral arterial disease,” said Dave Santoemma, CEO of CCH. “By investing in innovative treatments like this, we are enhancing care, improving outcomes and positively impacting quality of life for our patients.”