Saint Francis Medical Center was selected as the first healthcare institution in the state of Missouri to perform the FDA-approved Diamondback 360°™ procedure for clearing plaque from blocked arteries in the legs of patients. Saint Francis thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon John C. Wiggans, MD, FACS, performed the first procedures in the state last week with successful outcomes for the patients. Designed to restore blood flow, this revolutionary procedure reduces a person's chance of having bypass surgery in the leg or even amputation.

The device differs from existing atherectomy technologies in its ability to remove hard, calcified plaque – in addition to other common kinds of plaque – using a unique "orbiting" action. A tiny, diamond-coated crown uses the principles of centrifugal force to rapidly spin, or "orbit," at high speeds and sand away plaque while preserving the healthy tissue of the arterial wall. "Calcified arteries can be like concrete, and this actually opens up the artery and makes the heavy calcium buildup literally disappear," explains Wiggans. "It is an excellent tool to add to our extensive toolbox at Saint Francis for the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD), and we are proud to be the first to offer it to patients in this region."

"As with other minimally invasive technologies performed at the Medical Center, this new procedure requires local anesthesia and patients go home the same day," adds Wiggans. "The majority of patients can return to work in one or two days."

According to the National Institutes of Health, between 8 million and 12 million Americans suffer from PAD, which develops when leg arteries become clogged with plaque – fatty deposits that limit blood flow to the legs. One in three people with diabetes who are older than age 50 are likely to have PAD. Currently, 60 percent of those who receive an amputation never have had a diagnostic angiogram to determine if blood flow could be restored. Plus, many health problems, including heart attack and stroke, are caused by narrowing arteries.

People who are at risk for PAD include anyone older than age 50; those who smoke or who have smoked; and those who have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or a personal family history of vascular disease.

For more information, call Cape Thoracic & Cardiovascular Surgery at 573-331-3155.