Radiation Brachytherapy
Why
is the doctor performing this procedure?
To open up a
repeatedly narrowed or blocked peripheral artery, using radiation to keep
it open over time. Here is what happens:
- Peripheral artery narrowing
or blockage occurs (called atherosclerosis), requiring treatment.
- Angioplasty with stent
placement is performed.
- Following angioplasty with
stent placement, 15-25% of patients will unfortunately experience restenosis (recurrent narrowing or blockage of
that artery), usually because of aggressive scar formation over the
previously placed stent.
- A second angioplasty
procedure is required to open up the restenosis.
- Radiation brachytherapy is now performed as part of the
second angioplasty procedure, using radiation to prevent any further restenosis.
What
is the procedure?
"Brachytherapy" means radiation therapy focused
within a small and very specific part of a heart artery. Brachytherapy is only utilized for cases requiring a
second angioplasty (PTCA) due to restenosis (or
re-narowing of the artery) from a previously
placed stent. For these cases, the patient has an angioplasty procedure to
re-open the re-narrowed artery. Then, a separate catheter is inserted, this
time with a row or "ribbon" of radioactive isotopes attached.
These isotopes can be either Gamma or Beta radiated. The catheter is
advanced in the artery to the previously placed stent. The ribbon of
isotopes is left in place, directly delivering radiation to this very focused area, for 5 - 20 minutes. The catheter is
removed, pressure is applied to stop bleeding, and the patient must rest
flat for several hours.
Where
is the procedure performed?
Radiation Brachytherapy is performed in the Catheterization Lab.
How
long does this procedure take?
Radiation Brachytherapy with angioplasty usually takes 1-2 hours.
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