Dr. Peter Soukas, the director of peripheral vascular interventional laboratory at The Miriam Hospital, believes that Cardiac Shockwave Therapy is one of the most important breakthroughs in the cardiovascular space in the past decade. This innovative research has led to an FDA approved treatment for calcium blockages in coronary and leg arteries. One beneficiary of this treatment is Bruce Barton, who was faced with multiple blocked arteries and the possibility of losing a toe, foot or part of his leg.
Calcium blockages are a major obstacle in treating arterial blockages, according to Soukas. Barton mentioned experiencing constant pain and undergoing eight failed attempts at clearing the blockages before reaching out to The Miriam Hospital. There, he was introduced to a minimally invasive procedure called Cardiac Shockwave Therapy. This therapy utilizes high frequency ultrasonic waves to crack and fissure calcium deposits in the arteries.
Soukas explains that the procedure is designed to prep the vessels before following up with a drug coated balloon or stent for extended durability of the outcome. The Miriam Hospital has been involved in clinical trials for Cardiac Shockwave Therapy since 2017 and has seen positive results in over 500 cases. Since receiving the treatment, Barton has reported being able to walk three miles rather than just 100 yards.
