Authors' recommendations: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) of the lower extremities develops when the arteries that supply blood to the legs and feet become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis. Decreased blood flow reduces the amount of oxygen available to the tissues causing ischemic pain that typically becomes worse during walking or exercise. Patients with PAD are at risk for critical limb ischemia (CLI), which is characterized by chronic pain, nonhealing wounds, and gangrene that may require amputation. PAD affects approximately 8 million Americans and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. PAD affects 12% to 20% of Americans 65 years of age although only one-third are symptomatic. CLI affects 2.8 to 3.5 million of those with PAD. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA), with or without stent placement, is the current standard of care for occlusive PAD. While usually effective, PTA may not benefit patients with severely calcified and fibrotic lesions. Atherectomy is a plaque-debulking procedure that clears peripheral arteries by grinding, aspirating, or cutting away atherosclerotic plaques and improving vessel patency and blood flow. Atherectomy is intended for particularly difficult (calcified) lesions; it can be used alone or as an adjunct to PTA and stenting.

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2012

URL for published report: http://www.hayesinc.com/hayes/crd/?crd=13517

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: United States

Organisation Name: HAYES, Inc.

Contact Address: 157 S. Broad Street, Suite 200, Lansdale, PA 19446, USA. Tel: 215 855 0615; Fax: 215 855 5218

Contact Name: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Contact Email: saleinfo@hayesinc.com

Copyright: 2011 Winifred S. Hayes, Inc