Erlanger is first hospital in Tennessee to offer bioabsorbable cardiac stent

Chattanooga, Tenn. – Erlanger is the first hospital in Tennessee to implant a cardiac stent featuring a bioabsorbable polymer drug which promotes faster arterial healing and fewer complications for those with coronary artery disease.

Boston Scientific’s SYNERGY^™ Bioabsorbable Polymer Drug-Eluting Stent System is the first and only of its kind. Both the drug coating and the polymer, which modulates drug release, are fully absorbed shortly after drug elution is complete three months from implantation.

“This stent is a game changer for interventional cardiology,” said Dr. John Golding, Medical Director of cardiac cath lab services at Erlanger. “It is specifically designed to promote faster and more complete arterial healing while decreasing the chances for complications commonly associated with long-term polymer exposure.”

Existing stents reduce coronary stenosis, but the polymer remains on the stent after the drug is delivered. Long-term exposure to the polymer may cause inflammation, which delays healing and has been associated with complications, including neoatherosclerosis and stent thrombosis or clot formation inside the stent.

“The introduction of the first bioabsorbable polymer stent in the United States is a tremendous milestone in the evolution of stent technology,” said Kevin Ballinger, president, Interventional Cardiology, Boston Scientific. “The SYNERGY Stent is a next generation therapy designed to improve patient outcomes and ultimately reduce health care costs associated with the treatment of coronary artery disease.”