Research conducted at Bryn Mawr Hospital plays critical role in determining whether sonic waves can help treat advanced heart disease
New research conducted at Bryn Mawr Hospital, part of Main Line Health’s Lankenau Heart Institute, showed that patients with advanced coronary artery disease (CAD) benefited from an investigational treatment that uses sonic pressure waves to break up hardened blockages in the heart.
The research, recently published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, was part of the Disrupt CAD III study, which sought to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of using a technique called intravascular lithotripsy to break up calcified plaque prior to stenting.
Intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) uses a small generator called the Shockwave to produce sonic pressure waves from a catheter that is threaded through the arterial system to the site of the heart blockage. These pressure waves then pass through the soft arterial tissue, creating a series of micro-fractures that disrupt hardened calcified plaque. The technique is similar to the one used to break up kidney stones.
After the calcium has been broken up, the artery can be expanded using a low-pressure balloon and a stent, thereby enabling even historically challenging CAD cases to be treated effectively with minimal injury to the artery.
“We were thrilled to be among the first centers in the United States to offer our study patients in the Philadelphia region access to this potential therapy as part of this important study,” said Sarang Mangalmurti, MD, an cardiologist and vascular specialist at Bryn Mawr Hospital. Dr. Mangalmurti was the first physician in the Philadelphia area to use a Shockwave IVL device in heart procedures in 2019.
Approximately 18 million adults 20 and older have coronary artery disease, making it the most commonly diagnosed type of heart disease in America. CAD can occur when the blood vessels that carry oxygen, blood and other nutrients to your heart are damaged as a result of inflammation or plaque buildup in your arteries. As people with CAD grow older and their disease progresses, plaque in the arterial wall evolves into calcium deposits, which narrow the artery. This makes the artery rigid and more difficult to treat with current treatments, which can sometimes result in complications for patients.
“Hardened calcium within the heart is becoming more common as people are living longer and is very challenging to treat. As a result of this research, we now know that sonic pressure waves can modify the calcium in a predictable and safe manner and potentially help patients avoid unnecessary complications of previous treatments. Pending approval from the FDA, we are hopeful that we will soon be able to offer this treatment to many more patients,” says Dr. Mangalmurti.
The Disrupt CAD III study enrolled 384 patients at 47 sites in the United States, France, Germany, and the United Kingdom—including Bryn Mawr Hospital. The study demonstrated high procedural success and few adverse events. With high procedural success, investigators were able to modify the calcium and expand the artery sufficiently to restore blood flow. This was complemented with a low rate of major adverse cardiac events, meaning there was limited damage to the heart muscle or need for a repeat procedure. The study also found a very low risk of complications typically found with other technologies.
Shockwave C2 Coronary IVL catheters are limited to investigational use in the United States by the FDA.
About Bryn Mawr Hospital
Bryn Mawr Hospital, part of Main Line Health, is a 284-bed, not-for-profit acute care teaching hospital dedicated to helping the community stay well ahead on the path to lifelong health. Bryn Mawr Hospital has received both regional and national recognition for its excellence in providing state-of-the-art, quality care. U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals 2022–2023 rated Bryn Mawr Hospital as High Performing in six commonly occurring conditions and medical procedures and earned two coveted Adult Specialty ratings. The hospital offers a full range of services, including cancer care, orthopaedic care, cardiovascular care, behavioral health, maternity care, bariatric surgery, neurovascular and a level III neonatal intensive care unit, all aided by a dedicated team of health care professionals and innovative technologies. Through Bryn Mawr Hospital's collaboration with the Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience, the university-affiliated neurointervention center is an accredited thrombectomy-capable stroke center that offers rapid access to advanced diagnostics and treatment options for stroke care. Bryn Mawr Hospital is affiliated with the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to deliver exceptional care for pediatric patients and their families, including 24/7 coverage of the pediatric emergency department, pediatric inpatient unit and level III NICU.
About Lankenau Heart Institute
The Lankenau Heart Institute is Main Line Health's premier comprehensive cardiovascular medicine and surgery program. Lankenau Heart Institute brings together the clinical expertise of all four Main Line Health acute care hospitals and both the employed and community cardiology practices to ensure that patients receive a level of quality, service and experience that is unparalleled in the region. Through the systemwide coordination of services, Lankenau Heart Institute delivers preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and rehabilitative cardiovascular services at each of our locations including Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital.
Lankenau Heart Institute continues to be an innovator in the use of beating-heart techniques and robotic-assisted procedures for coronary artery revascularization, minimally invasive and transcatheter approaches for valve repair and replacement, complex aortic surgery and heart rhythm disorders. With our growing experience and focus on minimally invasive techniques, Lankenau Heart Institute has expanded participation in clinical trials year after year. Our physicians are frequently invited to participate in clinical/medical device trials, many of which are designed to facilitate the use of minimally invasive approaches and procedures.
With a collaborative team of expert consultative cardiologists, interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and specially trained advance practice nurses and technologists, Lankenau Heart Institute is dedicated to managing and treating patients with simple to complex cardiovascular disease, including heart failure, aortic disease, coronary and peripheral vascular disease, lipid and genetic abnormalities, heart rhythm disorders and valve disease. Our team of cardiologists and cardiac and vascular specialists provide patients and their families with expert cardiovascular care, close to home.