Infraredx Lacrosse NSE Alpha Coronary Dilatation Catheter Studied in EXPANSE-PTCA Study

January 10, 2022—Infraredx, a Nipro company, recently announced the enrollment of the first patient in its EXPANSE-PTCA study of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty at the Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi in Tupelo, Mississippi. The study will be conducted in the United States with the objective to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Lacrosse NSE (nonslip element) Alpha coronary dilatation balloon catheter during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with stenotic coronary arteries.

According to the company, the Lacrosse NSE Alpha features unique nylon elements on the exterior of the balloon that focus dilation force to reduce balloon slippage during inflation in hard or fibrotic coronary lesions. The distinctive design allows it to be used with other devices.

First introduced in Japan, the Lacrosse NSE Alpha is now available in more than 30 countries throughout Asia-Pacific, India, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America.

“The catheter is the first platform to score plaque, crack calcium, and provide grip to secure position in the lesion during inflations without metallic components,” commented Mitch Krucoff, MD. “This novel design thus brings unique profile, deliverability, tracking, and flexibility to the PCI armamentarium.” Dr. Krucoff is Professor of Medicine/Cardiology and Director, Cardiovascular Devices Unit, at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.