New Treatment Option for Coronary Artery Disease

Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center Heart & Vascular Center has added Shockwave intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) to their many treatment options. Shockwave IVL technology is used to open blocked coronary arteries by breaking down the calcium, while protecting vessel walls.

Interventional Cardiologist Dr. Muhammad Ajmal has brought this technique to Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center and describes the technology, “The blockage in the heart arteries is due to plaque which can be composed of lipid, scar, or calcium. Whenever there is a lot of calcium in the heart arteries then it becomes challenging to open these arteries with regular balloons and stents. Intravascular lithotripsy, also called the shockwave therapy, is a balloon-based technique where we deliver a special balloon at the site of calcium and deliver shockwaves. These waves break and crack the calcium and make it possible to deliver stents. This technique has been proven to be safe and effective when compared to other technologies. It was first approved by the FDA in February 2021."

This technology provides one more option to treat cardiology patients with coronary artery disease, safely and effectively.

Cardiology-Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center provides diagnosis and treatment of heart and blood vessel conditions using noninvasive and minimally invasive procedures. Services are available 24 hours a day in Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center's Heart & Vascular Center.

The clinic uses a variety of treatments to manage symptoms like shortness of breath and chest pain to improve quality of life.

Cardiology is the study and treatment of disorders of the heart; it is a medical specialty which is involved in the care of all things associated with the heart and the arteries.