Mercy Medical Center Cardiologist and Vascular Interventionist Offers Cutting-Edge Approach to Treatment of Vascular Diseases

Springfield, MA. (June 9, 2020) – Mercy Medical Center is the first hospital in the area to offer a new treatment option for patients suffering from blockages in the leg arteries. The procedure uses shockwave technology to dilate heavily calcified blockages or lesions, often correcting the condition without the need for a stenting device. An alternative to traditional angioplasty, the shockwave technology procedure minimizes surgical trauma and provides better patient outcomes. Locally, the procedure is offered exclusively by Mahmoud Abdelghany, MD, FACC, of Pioneer Valley Cardiology Associates, at Mercy Medical Center.

The shockwave technology uses a balloon catheter system designed to deliver a lithotripsy device through the peripheral arterial system of the lower extremities to the site of an otherwise difficult to treat calcified stenosis. During the procedure, the lithotripsy device generates pulsating mechanical energy within the targeted treatment site, breaking down calcium within the lesion and allowing subsequent dilation of a peripheral artery stenosis using low balloon pressure.

"This type of technology has long been used to treat patients with kidney stones. This procedure is a tremendous breakthrough for patients suffering from calcified peripheral artery disease because it allows for the controlled expansion of the affected area and reduces the risk of complications and the need for stenting," said Dr. Abdelghany.

Dr. Abdelghany and his colleagues were the first in the world to use the shockwave technology in the treatment of chronic venous thrombosis which causes chronic leg swelling and pain.

Dr. Abdelghany is board certified in Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease, Nuclear Cardiology, and Echocardiography, and Vascular diseases. For more information, (413) 732-1928 or visit http://www.pvcardiology.com/pvcardiology.

###

About Mercy Medical Center

Mercy Medical Center has established itself as one of the leading providers of health care services in Western Massachusetts. In 2015, Mercy Medical Center became part of Trinity Health Of New England, an integrated health care delivery system that is a member of Trinity Health, Livonia, Michigan, one of the largest multi-institutional Catholic health care delivery systems in the nation serving communities in 22 states. Mercy Medical Center is a 182-bed acute care hospital in Springfield. Other facilities include, Providence Behavioral Health Hospital, located in Holyoke, licensed for 131 beds; Weldon Rehabilitation Hospital, a comprehensive hospital-based rehabilitation center on the campus of Mercy Medical Center; Brightside for Families and Children, an outpatient service offering counseling and family support programs; and two outpatient opioid treatment programs. Visit us at www.mercycares.com for more information and follow us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/MercyCaresSpringfieldMA/.