New type of artery surgery in Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) - An Austin man was the first in the world to undergo artery surgery with a new state of the art device. Doctor Frank Zidar with the Heart Hospital of Austin used what is called the Stereotaxis RF Power Assert. It uses magnetically navigated guidewires to travel through an artery to treat Chronic Total Occlusions, or a CTO.

This procedure is minimally invasive and allows the doctor greater control and accuracy. The patient, Stanley Ernst's main artery in his leg was 100 percent blocked causing him severe pain when he tried to move. Not only was it getting in the way of his ranching but also his social life.

"My wife and I we belong to a dance club, and we dance all the time, and I finally couldn't dance anymore cause my leg was hurting all the time," said Ernst.

Heart Hospital of Austin is one of only two clinical sites in the world to use the new Stereotaxis device.