Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) involves atherosclerosis mainly in the extremities, especially in the legs and feet that lead to ischemia. Untreated, PAD can progress to critical limb ischemia (CLI), also called chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), which will lead to foot or leg amputation. The mortality rate for these CLI amputees is 70% within three years. There is currently an epidemic of PAD and CLI in the U.S. The majority of patients are defined by health disparities concentrated in the Black, Latino, Native American populations in both rural and low-income urban areas. A large number of PAD patients have other comorbities, with diabetes being one a primary issue.

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The Boston Scientific Seismiq intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) system entered commercial use in the U.S. in January 2026.

IVL competition heats up as Boston Scientific enters US market

Shockwave Medical, now a part of Johnson & Johnson MedTech, sits at the top of the IVL market, but things are starting to get more competitive. Boston Scientific gained its own IVL system when it acquired Bolt Medical in 2025.

doctor looking at CLTI patient's leg

Treating CLTI with atherectomy fails to improve outcomes—is it worth the cost?

Atherectomy is associated with rising healthcare costs, making it important to learn as much about the procedure's long-term value as possible. 

business handshake

Boston Scientific to acquire Penumbra for $14.5B

This is a cash and stock transaction that values Penumbra at $374 per share. The move helps Boston Scientific expand its vascular and neurovascular portfolios, gaining new treatments for pulmonary embolism, stroke, deep vein thrombosis and many other critical cardiovascular conditions. 

Compensation for U.S. cardiologists is up across the board, according to a recent survey published by MedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology company. The report identified similar trends for cardiovascular surgeons, highlighting the country’s high demand for all heart specialists in 2024 and beyond.

Cardiovascular health in the United States: Exploring the good, the bad and the ugly

A new comprehensive report detailed the latest stats and trends in hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke and many other areas of interest. “Progress in cardiovascular health depends on knowing where we stand,” the authors wrote. “To improve, we must measure—not occasionally, but consistently, transparently and with purpose.”

leg veins chronic venous disease PAD peripheral artery disease

Cardiovascular health societies share new performance and quality measures for PAD management

The ACC and AHA have published updated performance and quality measures focused on the diagnosis and management of peripheral artery disease. Several other specialty societies, including SCAI and SIR, also participated in the development of this new document.

Nick West, MD, chief medical officer, Shockwave Medical, Johnson and Johnson Meditech, explains how the company is innovating intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) therapy devices and building clinical evidence from trials for its use in a variety of calcified lesions. There are several companies developing IVL therapy, but West says Shockwave will remain the market leader because of its nearly decade long head start in the market, strong clinical evidence and has about a 10% market penetration. #IVKL

Why Shockwave Medical is so excited about the future of intravascular lithotripsy

Nick West, MD, Shockwave Medical's chief medical officer, detailed how the company is continuing to push IVL technologies forward. "We are leading the space ... we have no intention of giving up that position," he said.

A diabetic foot ulcer that does not heal due to low blood supply from peripheral artery disease (PAD), and the before and after interventional angiograms of the patient's revascularization treatment. Images courtesy of Foluso Fakorede, MD

ACC calls for better management of peripheral artery disease in diabetic patients

PAD in patients with diabetes is common and associated with an increased risk of several adverse events. A new guidance from the American College of Cardiology reviewed this topic at length, identifying areas where care needs to improve.

The Medtronic Liberant thrombectomy system.

New Medtronic thrombectomy system used commercially for first time

The new device uses an advanced algorithm to regulate aspiration and conserve blood. Ajit Rao, MD, a vascular surgeon with The Mount Sinai Hospital, performed the historic procedure.

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