To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the invention and first application of the angioplasty balloon, we spoke to Dr. Horace Chastain, PPG, Cardiology, Parkview Heart Institute, to learn how this groundbreaking development We asked him to give us a quick history lesson on what changed the landscape of cardiovascular medicine. It also establishes a precedent for personalized patient care.

Can you tell us why the 50th anniversary is so important to Parkview Heart Institute?

In March 1974, German physician and scientist Andreas Grunzig was the first to reopen a narrowed femoral artery using a balloon-tipped catheter. Before this medical innovation, surgeons used the dottering technique, named after Dr. Charles T. Dotter. Dotter worked closely with Grunzig, and both were nominated for his 1978 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

It was performed using a continuous dilatation catheter. The surgeon inserts a small catheter, then a slightly larger catheter, and repeats the process until the desired circumference is reached. During this time, all patients with severe arterial occlusion had to undergo bypass surgery. Because this was a longer procedure, patients took longer to recover. Grüntzig found that simply using a balloon made the process much easier.

Grunzig gathered supplies from the hospital, went home, and made a catheter on the spot at her kitchen table. Using his X-rays of patients who had previous blockages, he custom-built balloons based on those patients. This was also one of his first examples of a customized care model.

Thanks to his amazing insight, balloon angioplasty has become the preferred method of treating patients suffering from acute myocardial infarction and blocked leg arteries, saving patients from further disability by preventing leg amputation. . It works so well that almost everything we do today in the periphery and in the heart involves angioplasty.

Why is angioplasty considered important in cardiovascular care?

Angioplasty is a huge part of medicine, managing coronary heart disease, and improving people’s lives. We now perform angioplasty to prevent heart attacks. It literally saves lives. We perform approximately 1,200 coronary interventions and 800 peripheral interventions annually. This is a huge part of our service line and patient needs.

Without angioplasty, people would die prematurely or lose limbs. They will not be able to walk and will have to leave work early. Not as many people need bypass surgery as before. Bypass is still a very good treatment for the right patients, but there are many things that can be done without it. The patient I just treated today is scheduled to go home in the afternoon. At the time, patients might have spent two to three weeks recovering in the hospital. Currently, there is only one week left, and after that I am continuing treatment at home.

How does Parkview Heart Institute prioritize patient comfort and health?

During your procedure, there will be a traveling nurse who will administer and evaluate your medications. The patient is awake, so I talk to him. We determine if the patient is fidgety and ask, “Does your lower back hurt?” or “Are you anxious?”

We also do what’s called IV conscious sedation, which is usually in the form of fentanyl and Versed. People may be a little scared when I say fentanyl, but I tell my patients that fentanyl is a good and safe drug when used as medically indicated and under the supervision of a doctor and nurse. It reminds me of something. It is an analgesic with a short duration of action and minimal nausea, making the procedure more comfortable for the patient. We also use local anesthesia intermittently at the access site, depending on the patient and the procedure. Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable they feel after the procedure, even if it is their first time undergoing the procedure.

Why is it important for people in the communities we serve to have access to this procedure from a trusted provider?

We are focused on improving quality of care and quality of life for our patients. I think it’s been said for many years that we provide excellent care to every patient every day, and that’s our goal. For people with debilitating symptoms such as chest, arm, neck, and jaw pain, shortness of breath, and leg cramps, this will definitely improve quality of life. Sometimes people come to me who are unable to work because of these symptoms. After the treatment and procedures they receive at the Heart Institute, they can return to work. They can continue to work full-time and provide for their families and loved ones. By being active in these procedures and helping patients revascularize with balloon angioplasty, stents, lasers, and even surgery, we help our patients heal and recover faster. And that’s important.

What is Parkview Heart Institute doing to enhance angioplasty?

Part of my role as Medical Director is to closely track the medical literature and stay informed. New techniques and technologies are emerging all the time, such as new catheters and drug-eluting balloons that use balloons to deliver drugs to blood vessel walls, reducing the buildup of scar tissue and keeping blood vessels open. We don’t use technology just for the sake of using technology. For us to bring in and recruit patients, it has to be useful and safe for patients.
Through our partnership with Cleveland Clinic, we are able to work together and continue to be a leader in cardiovascular care in the region.

As we look back on 50 years of angioplasty, we are grateful to medical pioneers like Dr. Grüntzig. We hope that their passion and dedication to personalized patient care continues to inspire us as we strive to improve the quality and longevity of our patients’ lives.

Learn more about the services offered at Parkview Heart Institute.