Goshen General Hospital first in Indiana to use latest technology to treat heart disease

Nov. 25, 2008

GOSHEN, Ind. - Goshen General Hospital and Medical Director of Cardiology, Dr. Mark Smucker, became the first hospital and surgeon in Indiana to use the newly approved TAXUS® Liberté® Paclitaxel-Eluting Coronary Stent from Boston Scientific last week.

The TAXUS Liberté Stent has been the most used drug-eluting stent in Europe for almost two years and this highly anticipated new technology was just recently approved by the FDA for use in the United States. Goshen General Hospital received the new stents the week of Nov. 17 and two patients have already benefited from this new technology.

"Bringing the most advanced medical technologies to our community directly supports our mission to provide outstanding patient care," said Dr. Smucker.  "Early adoption of the TAXUS Liberté Stent reinforces our commitment to deliver advanced treatment to patients in Goshen and the surrounding communities."

Stents are tiny mesh tubes doctors use to prop open clogged arteries, allowing blood to flow freely to the heart - and are one of the most significant technology innovations used to treat heart disease --  the nation's No. 1 cause of death. As a medical technology for the treatment of heart disease, stents offer patients a less invasive procedure to open heart surgery and reduce, if not eliminate, angina (or chest pain) to help patients lead more active lifestyles.

Unlike bare metal stents, the TAXUS Liberté Stent is a drug-eluting, or drug coated stent. Design enhancements incorporated into the new stent help to promote uniform drug delivery to minimize scar tissue growth around the stent that can lead to restenosis, or the re-narrowing of a coronary artery.

"Drug-eluting stents have helped reduce restenosis from occurring in 30 percent of all angioplasty cases down to single digits," Dr. Smucker said. "This is a technology that keeps evolving. We are excited to be able to offer this latest advancement to our patients."

About Goshen Health System:
Goshen Health System is a not-for-profit provider of health care that includes Goshen General Hospital, The Goshen Center for Cancer Care, Park Home Medical Equipment, PrimeCare Physician Network, Team:Bariatrics, The Retreat Women's Health Center and Indiana Lakes Managed Care Organization. The health system is an affiliate partner of Clarian Health. For more information about Goshen Health System, contact Bridget Levitz, Public Relations Coordinator at 574-535-2776 or visit www.goshenhealth.org.