Treatment Provides New Alternative for Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

Des Peres Hospital now offers a new treatment option for people suffering from the effects of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).   Interventional cardiologists at Des Peres Hospital are some of the first in the area to receive training and perform the new orbital atherectomy procedure, designed to remove built-up plaque in the lower leg, below the knee, without damaging the arteries.

PAD is a life-threatening condition where fatty material (plaque) builds up in the inside walls of the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to legs and arms.  The build-up of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow – a condition called atherosclerosis – reducing blood flow to the legs and feet.  The most common symptoms of PAD are cramping, tired or painful legs or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. Typically, this pain goes away with rest and returns when you walk again.   If allowed to progress and left untreated, PAD can lead to gangrene and amputation.

According to the American Heart Association, about 8 million people in the US suffer from PAD and many mistake the symptoms of PAD for something else. 

The new orbital atherectomy procedure offered at Des Peres Hospital is different from other atherectomy procedures in that it uses a new device that uses a unique orbital motion with an offset, diamond-coated crown to “sand” away the plaque.  As the crown rotates and orbit increases, centrifugal force action presses the crown against the lesion or plaque, removing a small amount of plaque with each orbit.  The orbital motion is designed to create a smooth vessel opening or lumen, which may improve blood flow.

“At Des Peres Hospital, patient care is our highest priority.  So we are thrilled to be at the forefront of a new kind of atherectomy that can provide qualified patients with a new option for care,” said Michele C. Meyer, Des Peres Hospital chief executive officer.