Dr. Peter Soukas, Director of the Peripheral Vascular Intervention Laboratory at The Miriam Hospital, believes that cardiac shock wave therapy is one of the most important discoveries in the cardiovascular space of the past decade. This innovative research led to an FDA-approved treatment for calcium blockages in the coronary and leg arteries.
According to Soukas, calcium blockages are a major obstacle in the treatment of arterial blockages. Bruce Barton, who was faced with multiple blocked arteries and the possibility of losing a toe, foot or part of a leg, can attest to this. He mentioned that he was in constant pain and had undergone eight unsuccessful attempts to clear the blockages before he turned to Miriam Hospital.
There, he was introduced to a minimally invasive procedure called cardiac shock wave therapy. This therapy uses high-frequency ultrasound waves to break up and break up calcium deposits in the arteries. Soukas explains that the procedure is designed to prepare the blood vessels before proceeding with a drug-coated balloon or stent for longer lasting results.
The Miriam Hospital has been involved in clinical trials for cardiac shock wave therapy since 2017 and has seen positive results in over 500 cases. Since receiving treatment, Barton has reported being able to walk three miles, not just 100 yards. This is just one example of how this innovative therapy has helped patients overcome obstacles and improve their quality of life.