Kevin Wininger, a computed tomography technologist and cardiovascular technologist at University Hospital’s Samaritan Medical Center who assists cardiologists in the cardiac catheterization lab with all types procedures, including intravascular lithotripsy, explains what it is and how it benefits patients as they receive cardiology care in Ashland.
Since becoming a Level 2 destination for heart care 12 months ago, University Hospitals Samaritan Medical Center’s cardiac catheterization laboratory has deployed over 200 coronary artery stents. Patients received care locally because of this feat, and fewer heart surgeries were necessary. However, restoring blood flow to the heart can be a challenge when an artery’s calcium burden is high.
The catheterization lab has a new interventional tool known as intravascular lithotripsy − a smart technique that uses ultrasound shockwaves to strike coronary artery calcium. The process works like the lithotripsy that shatters kidney stones…