Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a condition that affects approximately 12 million people in the United States. It occurs when blood vessels become narrowed or blocked by plaque, which decreased blood flow. PAD can develop in other areas of the body, but it is commonly found in the legs, feet and toes. If left untreated, it can cause severe leg pain and lead to critical limb ischemia. This means that there is not enough blood being delivered to the leg to keep the tissue alive.

PAD Factors include age, smoking, diabetes, coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, family history and obesity.

What are the symptoms of PAD?

PAD is often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed because symptoms of the disease may be dismissed as part of the normal aging process. Symptoms of PAD can include, but are not limited to:

• Claudication – dull cramping pain in the hips, thighs, calves or buttocks during exercise and/or rest
• Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot or toes
• Changes in skin temperature or color
• Impotence
• Weakness in the legs or arms

How is PAD diagnosed?

Several tests can be performed to make a diagnosis, including:

Ankle brachial index (ABI): This simple, non-invasive test can be done in the doctor’s office. It measures the ratio of blood pressure in the ankle to that in the arm. If the blood pressure at the ankle is lower than the pressure in your arm, you may have PAD.

Doppler Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to measure blood flow in a vessel.

Angiogram: This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting a dye into the arteries and reviewing the area by X-Ray, also known as angiography. Typically, the doctor can see the blockage on the angiography images.

What are the Treatment Options for PAD?

A minimally invasive procedure called plaque excision allows the blockage to be removed altogether. The procedure is performed using the SilverHawk Plaque Excision System, which cleans out the artery by removing the plaque.

Plaque excision is normally performed through a tiny puncture site in the leg or arm. The SilverHawk Systems uses a tiny rotating blade to shave away plaque from inside the artery. As it is excised, the plaque collects in the tip of the device and then is removed from the patient.

Please contact our office for more information regarding PAD or to schedule a consultation.