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 OakBend Medical Center first in county to offer minimally invasive laser treatment for peripheral artery disease
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PAD is a cardiovascular disease that restricts or blocks blood flow in the legs. Arterial blockage, or hardening of the arteries, occurs when plaque builds up along artery walls and if left untreated, can lead to critical limb ischemia which can cause rest pain, non-healing of wounds on the legs or feet gangrene and may even lead to amputation. Those suffering from PAD are at increased risk for heart disease, aortic aneurysms and stroke. Therefore, it is important for an individual to recognize the risk factors and symptoms for PAD, and seek testing and treatment early.
In an effort to provide the highest quality patient care, OakBend is now offering patients a new treatment option for PAD—laser ablation. Laser ablation is a minimally-invasive procedure that treats blockages within peripheral arteries. Spectranetics’ excimer laser produces pulsed bursts of ultraviolet (UV) light energy that vaporize blockages in the arteries. This energy is transmitted along flexible glass fibers encased in tiny catheters, which can be passed through the arteries right to the location of the blockage. The UV light energy is then focused on the blockages that need to be treated, restoring blood flow to the limb. Laser ablation may aid in limb salvage and may improve well being. An alternate procedure, open surgical bypass, requires general anesthesia during the surgery and a much longer recovery; however, the minimally invasive procedures take only a couple of hours and the patient can usually go home within a day. The typical patient is back on his feet and able to resume normal activities in about a week.
“Nearly 100,000 amputations2 happen every year that could be prevented, if PAD were recognized and treated immediately,” said Imran Mohiuddin, MD. “Patients should not be subjected to a life-altering amputation procedure when a minimally invasive treatment option exists to restore blood flow to the legs and feet. The Spectranetics’ laser ablation system can help many patients get back on their feet quickly and pain-free.”
One of the first patients to receive this treatment at OakBend was Ms. Annette Bastianos, pictured immediately following the procedure with Dr. Uttam Tripathy, Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgeon, Dr. Imran Mohuiddin, Vascular Surgeon and her sister, Ms. Celeste Good. “We have been here several times and have been so happy because the nurses were so friendly and the doctors that have taken care of my sister have been just wonderful. It was good for us to have this treatment here at home and not be transferred. The traffic and parking would just make that so hard for us,” said Ms. Good.
About Peripheral Artery Disease
Peripheral Artery Disease is a serious condition that causes blood vessels in the legs and sometimes arms, to become restricted or blocked and affects between 8 and 10 million1,2 Americans. PAD is progressive. Only 10% of the population has the classic symptom of claudication and up to 50% of people with PAD have no symptoms and may be undiagnosed. The remaining 40% may have atypical or unusual symptoms.1,2 PAD may lead to an advanced condition called Critical Limb Ischemia (CLI), which is evidenced by rest pain, tissue loss and/or gangrene of the affected area. Peripheral artery disease is associated with coronary artery disease, and an increased mortality rate. Early diagnosis based on individual risk factors, sign and symptoms can improve the prognosis and quality of life.
References:
1 American Heart Association. (2008) Statistical Fact Sheet-Miscellaneous 2008 Update. Peripheral Arterial Disease- Statistics 2008. Retrieved November 6, 2009 from, http://www.americanheart.org/downloadable/heart/1198011637413FS26PAD08.REVdoc.pdf
2 Norgren L, Hiatt WR, Dormandy JA, Nehler MR, Harris KA, Fowkes FG, et al. (2007) Inter-Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease (TASC II). J Vasc Surg 2007; 45 (Suppl S): S5-67.
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