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Treatment Options
Timely detection and treatment of PAD can help reduce your symptoms, improve the quality of your life, help you keep your independence and mobility; and reduce your risk of heart attack, stroke, leg amputation, and even death.
There are three main approaches to treating PAD:
- Lifestyle modifications
- Medication
- In some cases, a special procedure or surgery may be required
Your health care provider will determine the best treatment option for you based on your medical history and the severity of your condition.
Lifestyle Modifications
PAD treatment often includes making long-lasting lifestyle modifications. If you have PAD or are aiming to lower your risk, your health care provider may prescribe one or more of the following:
- Quit smoking. Don't smoke, and if you do, quit. Consult with your health care provider to develop an effective cessation plan and stick to it.
- Lower your numbers. Work with your health care provider to correct any high blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood glucose levels.
- Follow a healthy eating plan. Choose foods that are low in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol. Be sure to include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
- Get moving. Make a commitment to be more physically active. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.
- Aim for a healthy weight. If you are overweight or obese, work with your health care provider to develop a supervised weight loss plan.
- Manage diabetes. Lower blood glucose levels to reach an A1C of less than seven.
Medication
In addition to lifestyle modifications, your health care provider may prescribe one or more medications. These medications are used to:
- Lower high blood pressure and cholesterol levels and treat diabetes
- Prevent the formation of blood clots that could cause a heart attack or stroke
- Help reduce leg pain while walking or climbing stairs
Special Procedures and Surgeries
For people suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), the build-up of plaque in the arteries of the legs often leads to severe and even debilitating leg pain. When the blockage is difficult to reach or the plaque becomes "calcified," limited options have been available to successfully treat the problem – until now.
The Diamondback 360® PAD System
The Diamondback 360° uses a tiny, rotating diamond-coated "crown" inserted into the artery that gently sands away tough plaque and restores blood flow. The minimally invasive procedure offers new hope to patients, as it provides an effective alternative for surgery or amputation.
The Diamondback 360° PAD System has a substantiated safety profile in treating peripheral lesions however results may vary in soft plaque. Not all patients may be eligible for atherectomy based on their unique health considerations.
Balloon Angioplasty
Balloon angioplasty is a procedure where a balloon is inflated and plaque is pushed against the arterial walls, causing the artery to widen and restoring blood flow.
Stents
A stent (tiny metal cylinder) is often placed in the artery after the angioplasty procedure with the intent to keep the diseased artery open.
Both balloon angioplasty and stents can have complications when treating arteries with resistant or hardened plaque. Balloons may severely crack the plaque and vessel wall, causing a reduction in flow and necessitating stent placement. Stents are more likely to accumulate plaque than a native vessel.
Vascular Bypass Surgery
Surgery may be necessary if blood flow through a limb is completely or almost completely blocked.
In vascular bypass surgery, a blood vessel from another part of the body or a tube made of synthetic material is used to bypass blockage in the artery. This allows blood to flow around the blockage and into the lower limb.
Vascular surgery is a major surgery. Many patients, due to other risk factors, may not be good surgical candidates.
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