First in the area to launch innovative procedure for limb-threatening disease

West Valley Medical Center is the first hospital in the Treasure Valley to successfully implant a first-of-its-kind dissolvable stent for people with a chronic limb threatening disease. This newly approved dissolvable stent, by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), is designed to keep arteries open in order to deliver a drug to support vessel healing prior to dissolving.

"I am thrilled with this innovation and West Valley Medical Center's focus on new care opportunities to help our patients. This treatment is for patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) below the knee - a severe form of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). The condition causes constant pain and suffering, so I'm really excited to offer this solution to our community," said Dr. Lyndon Box, interventional cardiologist, West Valley Medical Group.

CLTI, the severe form of PAD, occurs when arteries become clogged with plaque, and blood flow and oxygen can’t reach the lower leg and foot. Over 20 million people in the U.S. are living with PAD and only 10% of those people have been diagnosed. PAD disproportionately affects the Black and Hispanic communities with nearly 1 in 3 Black adults and 1 in 5 Hispanic adults developing the disease.

“Our team is committed to advancing care for our patients, and this groundbreaking treatment is a testament to that commitment,” said Nicholas Manning, chief executive officer of West Valley Medical Center. “Being the first hospital in the Treasure Valley to trial the dissolvable stent is a tremendous achievement, and it underscores our ongoing dedication to providing innovative, top-tier medical solutions. We are proud to lead the way in offering state-of-the-art treatments that enhance patient outcomes and enable quicker, safer recoveries.”‌

Learn more about West Valley's Heart and Vascular program.