June 23, 2025
HOUMA – Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is the first in the country to use the Aperta NSE™ (Novel Scoring Elements) PTA (Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty) Scoring Balloon to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the legs. CIS interventional cardiologist Dr. Pradeep Nair was the first to use this new 100mm length balloon on Tuesday, June 17 at the CIS Ambulatory Surgery Center in Gray, Louisiana.
Distributed by Nipro Medical, the Aperta NSE™ PTA Scoring Balloon is used to treat blocked arteries in the legs. It uses focal force to crack hardened plaque, helping physicians open the artery and prepare it for additional treatment like drug-coated balloons or stents. Its special design grips into the vessel wall and locks in place and reduces the risk of damage to the artery. The slim shape makes it easier to move through tight or curved arteries.
“Complex, resistant blockages in patients with peripheral artery disease can be challenging to treat with standard balloon angioplasty. Inadequate expansion of arteries using traditional balloons can lead to adverse events such as early re-occlusion, dissections, or improper stent expansion,” said Dr. Nair. “Specialty balloons have been developed to provide focal force on the artery, allowing for enhanced expansion—often at lower pressures. The Aperta balloon is a focal force balloon that is very easy to deliver to target lesions and wraps tightly after deflation, making it easy to re-use during the procedure. Additionally, the increased length of Aperta balloons allows us to treat complex disease more efficiently and effectively.”
Click below to schedule an appointment at a CIS location near you.
Request an appointment today with a CIS cardiologist.