Hoag Hospital Announces First U.S. Patient Enrolled in ACT I

The first patient in the U.S. to be enrolled in the clinical trial called, "Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting vs. Endarterectomy in Asymptomatic Subjects with Significant Extracranial Carotid Occlusive Disease Trial," (ACT I) was treated at the Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian in Newport Beach, Calif.

ACT I is the first trial to study the potential benefits of minimally invasive carotid stenting in patients who would normally undergo surgery to prevent stroke. The trial, sponsored by Abbott, is a multicenter, randomized study to compare carotid artery stenting to carotid artery surgery in the asymptomatic patient (those who have not displayed symptoms of stroke, but who are at risk) who normally would be referred for surgery.

The ACT I study will enroll approximately 1,500 patients in up to 50 hospitals across the U.S. Physicians performing carotid stenting in the ACT I study will utilize a specific device -- the investigational Xact Carotid Stent System and Emboshield Embolic Protection System manufactured by Abbott.