MINSK, 4 February (BelTA) - A new technology for treating coronary artery disease is planned to be introduced in all regions of Belarus, Director of the National Scientific and Practical Center of Cardiology Andrei Pristrom told the media, BelTA has learned.
The technology involves surgical endovascular treatment for patients who develop atherosclerotic plaques in their blood vessels. With prolonged presence, these plaques become calcified, essentially turning into something like stone.
“When we perform our standard procedures and try to place a stent in these vessels, it doesn’t work because the stone is dense. Accordingly, we technically cannot help these patients. This new technology is aimed at destroying the calcium structures within the vessel lumen,” explained Andrei Pristrom.
According to him, patients are currently helped with intravascular methods, but sometimes the treatment reaches a dead end. In some cases, help can be provided through cardiac surgery, meaning via major open-heart surgery. However, this is also not always technically possible. Furthermore, not all patients agree to such an operation.
The director of the center noted that the technology introduced by the Chinese colleagues is not yet widely used in Belarus. Most patients undergo stenting using standard methods, which is fully sufficient. However, there is a certain proportion of people who can be helped by this new treatment method. A training seminar is being held at the Cardiology center today and tomorrow, featuring a hands-on master class. Three patients have been selected for the demonstration procedures; two have already been operated on today.
The new technology for treating coronary artery disease is applied to patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Since IHD ranks first in terms of morbidity and mortality, the technology not only improves patients’ quality of life but also enhances overall survival rates.
It is expected that the technology will first be implemented at national-level institutions, including the Cardiology center, as well as at regional-level centers and in the city of Minsk. This is the goal for the technology’s application in the coming years. Active implementation is planned to begin this year. “The initial stage is 2026. Subsequently, I hope it will already be conducted in all our regions,” he added.
Regarding overall cooperation with Chinese colleagues, Andrei Pristrom noted that collaboration has been established with various institutions in the People’s Republic of China. “We also work together on scientific research. Currently, a scientific and technical project is in its final stages — by the way, three countries are participating: the People’s Republic of China, Kazakhstan, and the Republic of Belarus. The project is planned for launch and focuses on preserving donor organs, which is a relevant issue for many countries,” the center’s director said.
There are joint publications with Chinese colleagues. Belarusian doctors travel to China for training. Chinese medical equipment is purchased for Belarusian healthcare institutions. “China is a very large country. There, the number of institutions involved in both manufacturing and treatment is enormous. We are open to cooperation,” Andrei Pristrom said.
According to Dmitry Grinko, Director of the Center for Examinations and Testing in Healthcare, the medical equipment used to treat calcified arterial lesions was registered in Belarus in a very short time, confirming its compliance with national requirements for quality, safety, and effectiveness. The products are supplied to various countries and used in the practice of leading clinics worldwide. Now, this equipment and technology are also available to the population of Belarus.
“Based on clinical research and reviews, intravascular lithotripsy demonstrates high effectiveness, which is confirmed by angiographic and intravascular imaging methods. IVL (Intravascular Lithotripsy) technology is increasingly considered an important element of a comprehensive approach to treating patients with severe calcified lesions, especially in the context of the growing prevalence of atherosclerosis,” he said. 
Photos by Tatyana Matusevich
Follow us on:
