Dameron Hospital | Health Outlook | Fall 2016

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Dameron Hospital’s high-tech treatment is saving lives and limbs.
Learn more at .
This state-of-the-art technology enhances
the treatment capabilities at Dameron
Hospital, which allows a better outcome
for patients.
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A new approach—
here in your neighborhood
Dameron is the first hospital in the
Sacramento, San Joaquin and Stanislaus
county areas to offer a new approach to
treating PAD using the FDA-cleared,
minimally invasive Pantheris and Ocelot
catheter system.
An inside look
Under the guidance of Daren Primack,
MD, Senior Cardiologist and Medical
Director of Dameron Hospital’s Peripheral
Vascular Program, the Ocelot system
is used to help restore blood flow in
completely blocked arteries in patients’ legs.
The Ocelot catheter allows physicians to
see inside the artery during a procedure by
incorporating an imaging fiber on the tip of
the catheter that acts like a small camera.
“In the past we’ve had to rely on x-ray
images of blockages that revealed the
artery and blockage in silhouette only,”
Dr. Primack says. “The Ocelot helps
us see what we are doing during an
unblocking procedure, because we are
now working with a perspective from
the inside of the artery. Using the Ocelot
catheter system is like driving through
a tunnel with your headlights on as
opposed to trying to navigate that same
tunnel with no headlights.”
Back in circulation
Stockton resident John Taylor fully
understands the positive impact
Dameron’s limb-saving technology
can have. Diagnosed with PAD, the
excruciating pain and cramping in his
legs left him unable to work; he could
barely walk more than 50 yards before
having to stop and rest.
After consulting with Dr. Primack,
Taylor opted to try the new procedure,
which required inserting the catheter into
his leg artery in the groin area. Afterward,
it only required an overnight stay to ensure
that everything was fine. After returning
home the next day, Taylor was able to
stand and walk for short distances. Within
a week, he was able to walk normally and
began increasing the distance.
“In a short period of time after the
surgery, I could walk without any pain or
cramping,” says Taylor. “I’ve been able to
go to work and have no issues with my
legs anymore. It’s estimated that I walk
about five miles a day on the job, and I can
say that my legs are just fine. I’m able to
perform all of my job duties without any
problems. It’s worked wonders for me!”
“I’m also very happy with how this
turned out for John,” adds Taylor’s wife,
Brenda. “Not only is he working again, we
can do more things together again, like we
used to. It’s like we’ve gotten our lives back.”
More options, better results
In March of 2016, a new component
to the PAD treatment process was
also added. The Pantheris catheter is a
plaque-shaving device with the same
video imaging technology as the Ocelot.
This allows the physician to carefully
remove the plaque causing the blockage
without damaging the arterial wall.
“There are two parts of this technology:
the Ocelot and the Pantheris,” Dr. Primack
says. “One part of this amazing new
medical advancement helps us get
through the blockage while the other helps
us clean up the blockage less traumatically
and with a lower chance of it recurring.
So whether an artery is partially blocked
or fully blocked, we now have the means
to help patients and get them on the road
to recovery and better health. These two
state-of-the-art medical technologies are
just two more ways Dameron is enhancing
their treatment capabilities with a goal of
bringing better outcomes to patients.”
John and Brenda Taylor enjoying a walk
along the Stockton waterfront.