KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- For the first time in the Defense Department, members of the 81st Medical Operations Squadron catheterization laboratory successfully implemented a new version of stent technology, Nov. 4, 2015, Keesler Air Force Base, Miss.
The equipment, called the Synergy Stent, combines the features of older-style bare metal stents with features of newer drug-eluding stents. This new stent features a bio-absorbable polymer layer which holds the medicine to the physical stent
Currently, the Keesler Medical Center is the only hospital in the DOD and state of Mississippi to offer it, and one of only 20 hospitals nationwide.
“We’re honored to have the Synergy Stent,” said Lt. Col. (Dr.) Matthew Hann, 81st MDOS catheterization laboratory director. “Through our active pursuit of new technology, we’re offering a new technology that’s safer, faster-healing and more deliverable.”
The most notable development of the Synergy Stent is the bio-absorbable polymer adhesive; on older stent variants, once the medicine was absorbed the adhesive would stay on the stent, potentially causing inflammation to the artery and other issues. The new stent’s adhesive absorbs shortly after the medicine is gone, leaving only a bare metal stent in its wake.
“After about three months, the medicine is all absorbed, and then by month four the polymer is absorbed, leaving a bare metal stent,” he said. “This new stent has a lot of potential because it lowers the chances of beneficiaries having to make a return visit because of complications.”
As an additional benefit, it will allow beneficiaries to be more available for other care, should they need it.
“Older-style stents would require the recipient to be on blood thinning medicine for up to a year,” Hann said. “The Synergy Stent lowers that time to 4 or 5 months. This equates to a safer, faster recovery process. Doctors prefer not to operate on someone taking blood thinners, so should they need additional, non-cardiac procedures; they may be able to get that care sooner than in the past.”
The staff at the catheterization laboratory is looking forward to providing this new service to its beneficiaries.
“We’re proud to be able to give this service to the patient population we serve,” said Capt. Jesse Payne, 81st MDOS cardiopulmonary services element leader. “There’s a need for this within our local community, and we now have the technology to benefit them.”