For Release: April 28, 2003

Contact: Bob Allen, Director of Communications

315/470-7582

Crouse Hospital Offers Cardiac Patients New Drug-Coated Stent

Syracuse, NY – Crouse Hospital now offers the first drug-eluting stent to receive approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of blocked coronary arteries. Joseph Battaglia, MD, medical director for cardiac services at Crouse, is among the first cardiologists in the area to implant the device in cardiac patients since its approval by the FDA on April 24. One of Dr. Battaglia’s patients, a 67-year-old man from Jamesville, received the stent on April 28.

The new CYPHERÔ Sirolimus-eluting Stent, which is approved for the treatment of previously treated coronary artery lesions, was developed to address the problem of in-stent restenosis, or reblockage, which occurs in as many as 15-30% of patients who receive a bare metal stent. The stent is coated with the drug sirolimus, which is slowly released into the intima, or vessel lining, to prevent scar tissue growth through the openings in the stent mesh, which frequently leads to restenosis.

“This new stent provides new hope for patients with challenging case histories,” states Dr. Battaglia. “We are pleased to provide this advanced stent therapy in our community and to be among the first hospitals in the United States to offer this effective treatment to patients.” Results of large-scale studies involving nearly 1,400 patients worldwide show that the CYPHER Stent, manufactured by Cordis Corporation, a Johnson & Johnson company, reduces the incidence of restenosis by more than 90% over a bare metal stent.

Nearly 3,000 diagnostic and interventional procedures are performed annually in Crouse Hospital’s Cardiac Care Center by an experienced team of interventional cardiologists. Approximately one-third of those require intervention with a cardiac stent. The Center houses the region’s most up-to-date adult and pediatric cardiac catheterization suite.

The availability of this new drug-eluting stent is expected to generate widespread interest. Those who are interested in obtaining more information about the device and procedure can contact Crouse Hospital’s Cardiac Care Center at 315/470-5844.

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