ETMC offers new treatment option for Peripheral Arterial Disease

The ETMC Cardiovascular Institute now offers the Diamondback 360°™ Orbital Atherectomy System treatment option for people suffering with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). “The device pulverizes plaque that builds up on the inside walls of the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the legs and arms,” according to cardiovascular specialist Dr. Jeffrey Carr. “The build-up of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow. The reduced blood flow causes cramping and heavy, tired or painful legs or feet,” Dr. Carr said. He is with Cardiovascular Associates of East Texas.

Unique Orbital Motion
The device uses a unique orbital motion with an off-set, diamond coated “crown” to sand away the plaque. As the crown rotates and orbit increases, centrifugal force action presses the crown against the plaque, removing a small amount with each orbit. 

“The device can remove even the toughest kind of plaque without damaging the arteries---potentially offering new hope to patients who have been told they have no options to help with disease or calcified plaque in the small arteries,” Dr. Carr added. Orbital atherectomy is designed to optimize treatment in the arteries of the lower leg---including calcified lesions---giving people with PAD a new treatment alternative.

According to the National Institutes of Health, between 8 and 12 million Americans have PAD.  The most common symptoms include one or more of these problems:

• Leg pain that occurs when walking or exercising.
• Leg muscle fatigue, leg cramping, coldness in the lower legs and feet or numbness.
• Foot or toe pain at rest that often disturbs sleep.

PAD treatment
Treatment for PAD will depend on a diagnostic assessment, including patient symptoms and risk factors, the site and severity of the arterial blockages, and results of diagnostic tests. The goal for treating PAD is to reduce symptoms; improve walking ability; save limbs; and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke.

For more information contact ETMC at 1-800-648-8141 and press 2.