A Canadian First in Cardiac Surgery in Laval

The Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé installs the first bioresorbable vascular scaffold on a special-access basis

LAVAL, QC, Sept. 18, 2012 /CNW/ - The hemodynamics team at the Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé of the Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Laval recently implanted the first bioresorbable coronary drug-eluting vascular scaffold in Canada, on a special-access basis authorized by Health Canada. According to Dr. Samer Mansour, the hemodynamics cardiologist from the CSSS Laval who performed the procedure, this device is a revolutionary tool that will meet a number of expectations in the treatment of coronary artery disease, which is known to cause infarctions.

The Absorb™ bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS), manufactured by the multinational healthcare company Abbott, is an implantable device that opens up a blocked vessel and restores blood flow to the heart in the same way that conventional metallic stents do. But unlike metallic stents, Absorb dissolves over time. This new device is made of polylactide, a material commonly used in medical implants, and naturally breaks down in the body into carbon dioxide and water. This scaffold is designed to support the vessel until the device dissolves, leaving the patient with a treated vessel free of a permanent implant.

"Unlike with metal stents, there will be better healing of the artery without leaving behind any material for the rest of the patient's life," says Dr. Mansour, professor from Université de Montréal's Faculty of Medicine. The patient, Maurice Adourmad, was discharged the day following his surgery and then had a brief, 48-hour convalescence. For the team, this first was met with great pride and much enthusiasm.

A Self-dissolving Cardiac Device

Stents have been used since the 1990s to treat blocked vessels. This new type of coronary device is a real breakthrough in this area of care. It circumvents some of the limitations of metallic stents, such as the permanent placement of the stent and the necessity of taking long-term blood thinning medication to reduce the risk of forming a clot.

One of the unique characteristics of Absorb is that after the scaffold dissolves, the vessel has the potential to keep its usual morphology and may move, flex and pulsate, similar to a vessel that has never been treated. With no permanent implant, the vessel has the potential to resume more natural function and movement. Thus, a vessel that is not constrained by a metallic stent can expand and contract as needed to increase blood flow during normal activities such as exercise. This is one of the characteristics that make this device a significant innovation in the treatment of coronary artery disease. Apart from a few steps for preparing the area to be treated, the procedure for implanting the bioresorbable scaffold is similar to that for a metallic stent. Dr. Mansour feels privileged to be able to offer this innovative device to his patients.

A Device Easily Forgotten

Some time ago, Mr. Abourmad, who received the bioresorbable vascular scaffold, had repeatedly experienced physical discomfort but did not know exactly what it was due to. After a few medical exams, the Laval resident was told that his coronary artery was 90% blocked and that intervention was necessary. For Mr. Abourmad, the procedure went very well and he could walk easily the next day. "When I returned home, I could not feel that I had a device implanted. I'm eager to get back to my usual activities: I'm an avid walker, and I really like to swim. In the meantime, I'm improving little by little." The patient has promised himself to maintain healthy life habits so that he can avoid any further cardiac complications. He firmly believes that the fact that he has stopped smoking, is eating a healthy diet and has gotten back into doing physical exercise is going to contribute significantly to keeping his heart healthy.

Through the Special Access Program, Health Canada recently approved the use of the Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold for Dr. Mansour to treat a patient for the first time in Canada outside of the clinical trials. Absorb™ received approval from the European Community - CE Mark - in January 2011.

About the Laval Health and Social Services Centre: The Laval Health and Social Services Centre (CSSS Laval) was created in 2004 as part of a government reform that brought together hospitals, CLSCs and residential care centres in 95 territories in Quebec. With 18 facilities located across Île Jésus, the CSSS Laval is the largest in Quebec: it includes one hospital with an integrated cancer centre, four CLSCs, five residential care centres and an integrated first line care centre. The CSSS works in cooperation with Laval's medical clinics and with other public and private partners in the region to facilitate access to healthcare services.

SOURCE: Hôpital de la Cité-de-la-Santé of the Centre de santé et de services sociaux de Laval

For further information:

Source:  Josée Provost, Information Officer
Communications Office
Centre de santé et des services sociaux de Laval
450 668-1010, ext. 24032
[e-mail]