Detroit Medical Center First to Use New Stent for Blocked Blood Vessels

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The Detroit Medical Center today announced it was the first in Michigan to offer patients with coronary artery disease a new treatment option for vessels that are difficult to stent, or open.

The new drug-eluting EluNIRT stent was recently approved by the FDA and has the narrowest strut width of any FDA-approved stent available in the U.S. It is easier to maneuver in curved or heavily blocked blood vessels.

A 60-year-old woman was treated on last Thursday and sent home Friday after Dr. Tamam Mohamad, chief of Cardiology at DMC Detroit Receiving Hospital, used the new stent. The woman’s artery went from 90 percent blocked to clear.

“At the DMC, we strive to provide our patients with the newest treatment options to best serve their cardiac needs,” says Mohamad. “It’s the same kind of care I would provide for my own family.”

Cardiovascular disease is the no. 1 killer in the U.S., according to the American Heart Association. About 2,200 Americans die from cardiovascular disease every day.

“The DMC Cardiovascular team’s goal is to stay on the forefront of technology,” says Dr. Mahir Elder, director of endovascular medicine at the DMC Heart Hospital. “As leading physicians in the field, we strive to bring the latest and greatest technology and innovation to the metro Detroit community.”

The DMC Cardiovascular team recommends seeking immediate medical attention if experiencing symptoms of a heart attack, including severe pressure, fullness, squeezing, pain, or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes; pain or discomfort in the shoulders, neck, arms, or jaw; rapid or irregular pulse; sweating, clamminess, or paleness; shortness of breath; nausea or vomiting; dizziness or fainting; and fatigue.

Visit the DMC’s website for more information.