Cappella Medical Devices, a medical device company that develops novel solutions for the treatment of complex coronary artery disease (CAD) focused on protecting the coronary sidebranch arteries, presented new clinical data on its Sideguard coronary sidebranch system.

The new study, titled ‘Bifurcation Plaque Redistribution: An Intravascular Ultrasound Comparison of the Self-expanding Sideguard Stent in the Sidebranch Versus a Balloon-Expandable Stent in the Main Vessel,’ was presented by a group of investigators led by Gary Mintz at the International JIM 2011 (Joint Interventional Meeting) in Rome, Italy.

The study measured the effects of balloon expandable and self-expanding Sideguard nitinol stents on the vessel wall.

The IVUS data showed that the trumpet-shaped self-expanding Sideguard stent contributed to vessel remodeling and also reduced plaque redistribution and carina shift when the Sideguard was placed in the coronary sidebranch vessel as a first line treatment.

Cappella Medical vice president of R&D, Clinical, and Regulatory Michael Gilmore said the Cappella Sideguard coronary sidebranch technology was developed to protect the ostium of the sidebranch which, in turn, will preserve the sidebranch coronary artery.

"The clinical data presented validates our belief that the Sideguard addresses an unmet need for the protection, and preservation, of the coronary sidebranch artery. We look forward to additional clinical data in the coming months," Gilmore said.