NRC: News Release - Region I - 2002-006 - Company to Discuss Cardiac Radiation Device with NRC Staff

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NRC NEWS
U.S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION

Office of Public Affairs, Region I
475 Allendale Road, King of Prussia, Pa. 19406
www.nrc.gov

No. I-02-006		February 21, 2002
CONTACT:	Diane Screnci (610) 337-5330 Neil A. Sheehan (610) 337-5331	E-mail: OPA1.Resource@nrc.gov
COMPANY TO DISCUSS CARDIAC RADIATION DEVICE WITH NRC STAFF Printable Version
A company that has developed a device that uses radiation to treat patients who experience the regrowth of coronary plaque following a cardiac procedure will discuss the device with Nuclear Regulatory Commission Region I staff at an information-only meeting on Tuesday, February 26. Specifically, representatives of the Guidant Corporation will address technical issues associated with the safe use of the company's Galileo intravascular brachytherapy high-dose afterloader device. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in the Public Meeting Room at the NRC Region I office. It will be open to the public, with NRC staff members available afterwards to answer questions from interested members of the public. It has been estimated that hundreds of thousands of Americans undergo coronary angioplasty procedures each year to remove plaque on artery walls. Many of these patients require the placement of stents to maintain proper blood flow. However, some of these patients will develop the regrowth of coronary plaque, known as restenosis, leading to a recurrence of symptoms. One method of treating this condition is intravascular brachytherapy, in which a device like that developed by Guidant uses a wire to deliver beta radiation to specific sections of an artery in an effort to prevent restenosis.
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