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.

Excessive alcohol use increases risk of amputation in CLTI patients
Identifying patients with alcohol use disorder prior to treatment may help care teams plan ahead and anticipate potential complications.
PAD patients could be missing out on recommended care following major lower extremity amputations
Patients undergoing the procedures due to infection, chronic limb-threatening ischemia and other serious complications may not be receiving the follow-up care their need.
Cardiologists urge Congress to pass new bills focused on PAD, Medicare coverage
SCAI has shared a new call to action as an observance of American Heart Month. The group is asking Congress to pass new pieces of legislation that could improve care for PAD patients and get important medical devices in the hands of interventional cardiologists.
New meta-analysis explores potential of endovascular treatments for long femoropopliteal lesions
Open surgical bypass is the gold standard, but endovascular therapies may provide value for high-risk patients with long femoropopliteal lesions.
Exploring major trends as IVL keeps evolving
Intravascular lithotripsy is expected to see even wider adoption when lower-profile catheters are introduced and device costs start to drop, explained Samin Sharma, MD.

New survey examines the biggest issues impacting care for CAD, PAD patients

Physicians, industry leaders—and, yes, patients themselves—provided an updated look at the state of vascular care in 2021.

Hispanic PAD patients often face longer hospitalizations, higher costs

Hispanic adults with peripheral artery disease tend to seek care through the emergency department—and they are paying the price.

‘Saving lives and saving limbs’: New study of real-world CMS patients highlights the benefits of IVUS

The Smith Center for Outcomes Research in Cardiology examined real-world data from more than 700,000 CMS patients. The group's findings were presented during TCT 2021.

PAD patients more likely to die from COVID-19

The mortality rate for COVID-19 patients was nearly twice as high if they had a history of peripheral artery disease, researchers found.

Many PAD patients are missing out on vital risk assessments

The findings, based on Medicare data, were presented at VIVA21 in Las Vegas.

First patient treated with CSI’s new peripheral support catheter

A vascular surgeon in Nashville performed the procedure, praising the device's "balance of support and flexibility."

Rivaroxaban limits adverse limb and cardiovascular events in surgically treated PAD patients

Rivaroxaban was associated with more bleeding than a placebo, researchers observed, but the overall incidence of such events was still low.

Bill would bolster coverage of interventional radiology services to help Americans avoid amputations

Lawmakers recently introduced the Amputation Reduction and Compassion Act in the House, with bipartisan backing and support from the Society of Interventional Radiology.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Excessive alcohol use increases risk of amputation in CLTI patients

PAD patients could be missing out on recommended care following major lower extremity amputations

Cardiologists urge Congress to pass new bills focused on PAD, Medicare coverage

New meta-analysis explores potential of endovascular treatments for long femoropopliteal lesions

Exploring major trends as IVL keeps evolving