St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center Pioneers World’s First Use of Breakthrough Cardiac Technology

Interventional cardiologists at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center were first in the world to use the Shockwave Javelin Coronary Intravascular Lithotripsy Catheter, a new device developed by Shockwave Medical, Inc., part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, to treat patients with severe blockages in coronary vessels. 

St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center’s Evan Shlofmitz, DO, director of intravascular imaging, and Ziad Ali, MD, director of the DeMatteis Cardiovascular Institute, led the procedure. The Javelin microcatheter was inserted into a heavily calcified artery, allowing the opening of a channel in the patient’s blood vessel, enabling safe treatment of the blockages. The Javelin procedure marks the latest in a series of “global firsts” performed at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center.

“We are once again leading the way in implementing cutting-edge technology to deliver innovative cardiac solutions to our patients,” said Charles Lucore, MD, MBA, president of St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center. “This is a true reflection of our unwavering commitment to continuous growth and advancement, all in pursuit of delivering the best possible outcomes and experiences for our patients.”

Currently, physicians often rely on drills to access severe blockages in a procedure known as atherectomy; however, the drilling action may generate debris which has the potential to plug the heart arteries. According to Dr. Shlofmitz, patients with calcified blockages of 90 percent or more may be eligible for the Javelin procedure.

“The Javelin device represents a significant opportunity to improve treatment for cardiovascular patients with complex, calcific lesions in narrowed coronary vessels,” said Dr. Shlofmitz. “With the increased precision of the Javelin catheter, we can streamline the treatment process and improve outcomes. This new procedure can be a game changer for the patients who need it most.”

The Javelin procedure was performed as part of the FORWARD CAD study, launched by Shockwave Medical, Johnson & Johnson’s medical device company known for leading-edge innovations in intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) technology.

“It is an honor to enroll the first patient in the FORWARD CAD clinical trial to help advance new cardiac treatments,” said Dr. Ali. “The procedure was a success, and we look forward to using this technology to help more patients suffering from severe coronary blockages at St. Francis Hospital & Heart Center.”

For more information, visit https://www.catholichealthli.org/heart-vascular-care.