Cardiovascular Systems Enrolls First Patients in OPTIMIZE Study

November 3, 2015 — Cardiovascular Systems Inc. (CSI) announced last week that the first two patients have been enrolled in its OPTIMIZE, peripheral Orbital Atherectomy System (OAS) study. Taking place in Europe, OPTIMIZE will evaluate the acute and long-term clinical outcomes of orbital atherectomy with adjunctive drug-coated balloon (DCB) angioplasty versus DCB angioplasty alone for treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Specifically, the study will look at patients with calcified below the knee (BTK) lesions. OPTIMIZE also will compare the economic outcomes between the patient groups.

Prof. Marianne Brodmann, M.D., director of the Division of Angiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria, performed the first procedure on Oct. 28 together with Hannes Deutschmann, director of the Vascular and Interventional Department of Radiology, Medical University of Graz, Austria, and Franz Hafner.

“We are excited to spearhead the study of CSI’s orbital atherectomy technology in Europe,” said Brodmann. “Below-the-knee PAD is associated with a higher prevalence of calcium than above-the-knee PAD. We look forward to evaluating the potential outcome benefit of using CSI’s orbital atherectomy system to remove calcified plaque prior to DCB angioplasty in this high-risk patient population.”

OPTIMIZE is a prospective, randomized, multi-center, post-market pilot study using CSI’s peripheral OAS to perform atherectomy procedures in conjunction with drug-coated balloons. Up to 50 subjects may be enrolled at up to 10 study sites throughout the continent.

Millions of patients with PAD may benefit from treatment with orbital atherectomy utilizing the peripheral OAS, minimally invasive catheter systems developed and manufactured by CSI. The orbital atherectomy systems use a diamond-coated crown attached to an orbiting shaft, which sands away plaque while preserving healthy vessel tissue — a critical factor in preventing reoccurrences. Balloon angioplasty and stents have significant shortcomings in treating hard, calcified lesions. Stents are prone to fractures and high recurrence rates, and treatment of hard, calcified lesions may lead to vessel damage and suboptimal results.

The national principal investigators for OPTIMIZE are Brodmann; Prof. Gunnar Tepe, M.D., Klinikum Rosenheim, Germany; and Prof. Thomas Zeller, M.D., Herz-Zentrum Bad Krozingen, Germany.

For more information: www.csi360.com