Manatee Memorial Hospital Adopted New Heart Device
The hospital has begun using a drug-eluting balloon to treat narrowed arteries without the need for permanent implants.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Heart Disease
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Manatee Memorial Hospital in Bradenton has implemented the FDA-approved SELUTION SLR Drug-Eluting Balloon to treat tissue growth within previously placed stents. This new technology delivers medication directly to the artery wall, providing an alternative to traditional permanent implants.
Why it matters
The device offers a specialized treatment for patients experiencing arterial narrowing by releasing medication over a 90-day period. Because the system is removed after the procedure, it avoids the complication of leaving additional hardware permanently inside the heart.
A clinical trial involving more than 400 patients found the device was not worse than standard treatments after 12 months of monitoring. The balloon coating is specifically designed to release the medication sirolimus into the artery wall over 90 days.
The players
Manatee Memorial Hospital
This healthcare facility serves the residents of Bradenton and the surrounding Southwest Florida region.
James Nguyen
He is the cardiologist who performed the first procedure using the new heart artery balloon technology at the hospital.
S. Jay Mathews
He is a physician who performed the second procedure utilizing the device at the facility.
The details
Cardiologists guide the balloon to the narrowed arterial segment and inflate it to administer medication directly to the tissue before removing the device. Doctors James Nguyen and S. Jay Mathews were the first physicians at the hospital to perform these procedures.
Timeline
The FDA approved the device in September 2026.
The hospital announced the use of the new technology on October 12, 2026.
Health Landscape
The adoption of this device aligns with the broader shift in interventional cardiology toward temporary medical solutions that minimize permanent implants within the heart. This reflects a transition from traditional stent-heavy approaches toward targeted drug-delivery systems that address tissue regrowth more precisely.
Patients suffering from narrowed arteries may now have access to a procedure that delivers medication without requiring the placement of additional permanent implants. Individuals should consult with their local cardiologist to determine if this new device is a suitable option for their specific medical condition.
The takeaway
This technology represents a move toward less invasive cardiology by treating arterial narrowing through temporary delivery rather than permanent hardware. Patients experiencing complications with existing stents should discuss these advancements with their specialists to understand current local treatment options.
Further reading
For more information on cardiovascular innovations, see Heart Disease.
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