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Study evaluates safety and effectiveness of Diamondback device for heart attacks

March 25, 2017

Severely hardened coronary arteries, a type of atherosclerosis, can restrict blood flow causing chest pain and other symptoms such as shortness of breath.

"More concerning, the plaque can rupture causing a blood clot which can trigger a heart attack," said Dr. Weinstock.

Because the condition develops over time, mild atherosclerosis may not have symptoms. Once an artery is more severely clogged and blood flow is more severely restricted, common symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, including chest pain.

"Risk factors for the development of coronary artery disease include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, a family history of early heart disease, and smoking," said Dr. Weinstock. "Patients with kidney disease and/or diabetes as well as more elderly patients are more likely to have severely calcified plaque that may need to be treated with a device such as the Diamondback 360."

ORMC currently uses orbital technology to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a build-up of plaque in the leg arteries that can lead to severe and debilitating leg pain or even amputation. The device already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat PAD, is an alternative for surgery or amputation.

Source: Orlando Regional Medical Center