More than 12 million Americans suffer with peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition caused by plaque buildup in the arteries of the legs which blocks essential blood flow. When blood can't get through, tissues downstream don't get enough oxygen, often resulting in leg pain, nonhealing wounds, gangrene or, potentially, amputation.

Not long ago, physicians treated PAD with angioplasty/stent procedures to reopen the artery and restore blood flow or with extensive bypass surgery in severe cases. For the past year, surgeons at Saint Francis Medical Center have utilized a new, minimally invasive procedure to remove plaque from clogged peripheral arteries.

"The SilverHawk Plaque Excision System utilizes a technique called peripheral plaque excision which actually removes plaque from arteries in the legs," says R. Brent New, MD, a thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon on staff at Saint Francis. "The SilverHawk System is particularly effective for patients with diabetic foot wounds since it reopens arteries, allowing more oxygen-enriched blood to reach diabetic foot ulcers to fight infection and aid the healing process."

During the procedure, a special catheter called the SilverHawk is inserted through a small puncture in the groin. The surgeon uses an X-ray camera to guide it through the leg artery to the area of the blockage. The catheter contains a tiny blade that spins and shaves plaque from the artery walls with precision and ultimate control. The plaque is collected in a special nose cone on the tip of the device and is completely removed from the body.

Removing the plaque (instead of compressing it against the vessel wall) reduces the threat of recurrence. The technique also lowers the risk of plaque breaking off into the artery and causing further blockage. The procedure takes 1-2 hours, and patients usually go home within a day.

"It's a very safe procedure for improving blood flow," says New. "We're seeing an 80 percent to 90 percent success rate with the technique. Without it, many patients may have had to face amputation as their only option."

From Weekly Health Page: Feb. 26, 2006