According to the experts the demand for Bioresorbable stents used during angioplasty is increasing. The prime quality of Absorb is that it gets dissolved in the body and does not leave any metal residue. Stent is device that is inserted into the blood vessels in order to expand the vessel to prevent or alleviate a blockage. For Heart patients who suffer from blockage, such a stent is inserted during angioplasty which helps open up the blockage.
As per a recent report, Since its launch around 2ooo heart patients have used this stent in India. From Mumbai Jaslok hospital,the head of the cardiology department, Dr. AB Mehta said that heart problems have increases in recent times and many people die due to heart disease every year. As per studies in India, among patient who die of non-contagious diseases, heart problems account for 50% of such deaths. Many people cannot afford the costly procedure of open heart surgery, and many do not want to undergo any surgical procedure . In both such cases angioplasty is a very good alternative.
According to Dr. Mehta, India requires around 3 lakhs Bioresorbable stents annually including both requirement at public and private hospitals. In the past the doctors used metallic stents only. Recently in Lilawati hospital in Mumbai Dr. Shahid Merchant has used absorb while doing angioplasty for Mr. Arif khan a young man aged 26 years. Arif had been smoking since a very young age and had two heart attacks. Arif said in an interview that due to smoking he always used to feel pain in his heart while breathing. When he consulted the doctor they confirmed presence of blockages in his arteries. However Arif did not want to go for an open heart surgery. The doctors advise him to go for angioplasty with Absorb. The procedure was successful, and Arif is now leading a normal life.
Till date Absorb has been used for around 250 patients. Angioplasty is a good alternative as it causes less pain and requires less resting period. Now, with the invention of Absorb, it will also give a mental relief to patents since these Bioresorbable stents will not leave any metal residue in the body.