Device may forestall restenosis
With the rapid advances being made in the emerging field of intracoronary radiation therapy, the $3 billion revascularization industry may soon be paring down. An example is Norcross, GA-based Novoste's Beta-Cath System, now under clinical investigation at 22 centers nationwide.
The device is designed to prevent restenosis - the renarrowing of arteries after angioplasty or stent placement - and could reduce the need for bypass surgery or further angioplasties. Beta-Cath may eventually reduce the need for stents, or it can be used before stent placement to minimize cell growth.
The device is expected to become approved by the FDA and available in this country in mid to late 2,000, and will cost in the range of $1,000 to $1,300 per procedure. Beta-Cath is part reusable, part disposable, and no upfront capital expenditure is required. Beta-Cath delivers a localized dose of beta radiation to the site immediately following angioplasty.
The radiation inhibits cell growth within the artery, and the procedure takes less than 10 minutes. Call Cheryl Johnson at (888) 612-2444 or access www.novoste.com on the Internet for further information.
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