LARGO, Fla. — When it comes to coronary artery disease and blockages, often the treatment involves placing a stent into a person's artery. 

But HCA Florida Largo Hospital is studying a different way to treat patients involving drug-eluting balloons. 

Doctor Merrill Krolick, Cath Lab & Interventional Cardiology Fellowship Director at HCA Florida Largo Hospital, is running this trial. 

What You Need To Know

  • HCA Florida Largo Hospital is participating in an innovative research study using drug-eluting balloons to treat coronary artery disease

  • The study is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as an Investigative Device Exemption (IDE) trial

  • Coronary artery disease is the most common type of heart disease and the most common cause of death. Currently, the standard treatment for patients with coronary artery lesions involves the use of drug-eluting stents

  • The ongoing study at HCA Florida Largo Hospital seeks to explore the efficacy of drug-eluting balloons, which are uniquely designed with a drug-coated surface that releases medication over time, eliminating the need for a stent

“Hey sir. How are you doing?” Krolick said to Bruce Carlson, a patient in the trial. “You feel better after the procedure?” 

Carlson smiles, and immediately answers yes. The 85-year-old had a stroke recently and was recommended by his cardiologist to participate in this study. 

“If I could be of some help, I was willing to do that,” said Carlson. 

This trial compares the use of a drug-eluting stent versus a drug-eluting balloon, to help patients with blocked arteries. 

A small mark on Carlson’s wrist shows where one of these was placed. It is a blind study, so HCA was not able to release which one Carlson received. 

“I’m feeling very good,” said Carlson. “I don’t get as tired. I can stand longer without getting tired than I used to and I just feel better.”

Krolick said there are differences in the two options. 

“The difference is you’re leaving stainless steel in the body,” said Krolick, when explaining one possible downside of a stent. “Whereas here there is no stainless steel and you just, it’s just on the balloon here.”

A stent is a slotted tube that is placed into an artery improving blood supply and flow. 

“In Japan, it’s around 30% of IV interventions are using just balloons. In the United States, we’ve been a little slow in adapting this,” said Krolick. 

The balloon shown in the video portion of this story is just an example, and not the actual one being used in the study. Because of the early stages of the study, HCA Florida Largo Hospital was not able to show or release the name of the company or balloon being used. 

“It’s a special balloon that you put in, that has a drug on it so that it will be more durable and keep the patient out of the hospital longer,” said Krolick, explaining generally how it works. 

One of the biggest challenges is treating blockages in people with small veins and arteries. 

“One of the drawbacks with stents is that when arteries become small, they don’t work as well,” said Krolick. 

For Carlson, whose arteries were blocked 70 to 80 percent, this trial has already helped tremendously. 

“Well, they said they’d reduce it to about 10%,” said Carlson. 

A big difference that will hopefully add years to his life. 

The trial is being done through the HCA Healthcare Research Institute. If you know someone interested in this trial or other clinical trials at HCA Healthcare Research Institute, reach out to researchinstitute@HCAHealthcare.com