Recent neurological and cardiovascular advancements at Delray Medical Center could significantly improve patients’ quality of life. Within the last few months, the hospital has adopted innovative technology including the deep brain stimulation procedure, WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Implant, and CrossBoss and Stingray Coronary CTO Crossing and Re-Entry devices.

 

While not a cure, deep brain stimulation can help reduce the debilitating effects of movement disorders, such as Parkinson’s disease and essential tremors, for the many patients who are unable to obtain sufficient relief through medications or physical therapy alone.

 

“The procedure provides neurological patients with the opportunity to set the clock back on their disease and live a more active life,” said Dr. Arif Dalvi, a neurologist, fellowship trained in movement disorders.

 

Deep brain stimulation involves placing a small electrode into specific targets within a patient’s brain. These targets are specific to each disease and are identified on special MRIs a few weeks prior to the procedure. The electrode is then connected to a neurostimulator (similar to a pacemaker), which is implanted under the skin below the collarbone. Electric pulses from the neurostimulator are carried by the electrode to the target in the brain.

 

“Tremors, involuntary movements, also called dyskinesias, or muscle rigidity, are the symptoms that generally improve the most,” added Dr. Lloyd Zucker, a neurosurgeon on the medical staff at Delray Medical Center. “The surgery can also help reduce the fluctuating response to medications that is seen in later stages of Parkinson’s disease.”

 

Additionally, the new WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure (LAAC) Implant offered at Delray Medical Center gives patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (Afib) an alternative option to reduce their risk of suffering an Afib-related stroke.

 

Afib patients have a five times greater risk of stroke and typically have to take long-term warfarin medication, a blood-thinning drug with potentially serious side effects. For those who h ave reason to seek a non-drug alternative, the WATCHMAN LAAC Implant works by closing off an area of the heart called the left atrial appendage (LAA). By doing so, harmful blood clots that may form due to Afib are kept from entering the blood stream and potentially causing a stroke. Over time, patients may be able to stop taking warfarin. The one-time procedure usually lasts about an hour. Patients typically need to stay in the hospital for 24 hours.

 

The third recent development at Delray Medical Center is a new minimally invasive treatment option for patients with chronic total occlusion (CTO), a complete blockage of a coronary artery. Previously, these patients have been treated with heart bypass surgery or prescription drugs. Now, with the addition of the CrossBoss and Stingray Coronary CTO Crossing and Re-Entry devices, physicians may be able to treat CTOs more successfully and efficiently using minimally invasive techniques to go through or around blockages.