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Treatment
of Peripheral Vascular Disease
 Dr.
Michael Hagley, Interventional Cardiologist now has another alternative to
offer the public in the treatment of a painful condition known as
peripheral vascular disease (PVD). The SilverHawk Plaque Excision
System is a new FDA-cleared device for the safe removal of harmful plaque
from blocked arteries mostly found in the arms and legs.
This unique
device uses a tiny rotating blade the size of a grain of rice to shave
away large quantities of 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.
Before the
arrival of plaque excision, treatments for PVD included angioplasty,
stenting and open bypass surgery, an invasive procedure, which requires
creating a large incision and involves a hospital stay.
Both angioplasty and stenting clear a channel in the artery for
blood flow by pushing plaque up against the artery walls. However, patients often return within six months to have the
procedure repeated because plaque has crept back into the artery and
blocked it again.
PVD
affects nearly 10 million people in the United States. Similar to
cardiovascular disease, PVD is caused by the buildup of fat and
cholesterol, known as plaque, which disrupts normal bloodflow to arteries
in the vascular system. Symptoms
of the disease often include severe pain, numbness, tingling or weakness
in the leg. Leg pain, known
as claudication, can be so extreme that patients may have difficulty in
walking short distances.
Those at risk
of developing PVD include patients with high blood pressure, diabetes and
high cholesterol. Other
contributing factors include obesity, smoking and an inactive lifestyle.
Screening for peripheral vascular disease is simple and painless so
consult with your physician to find out if you are at risk.
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