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Cryoplasty "Cold Balloon" for Peripheral Vascular Disease |
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Written by Administrator
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Thursday, 12 November 2009 05:39 |
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Narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs - Lower Extremity Arterial Occlusive Disease -disrupts proper circulation
and can cause pain and disability (claudication). Angioplasty and stenting are common methods of treating blocked arteries in the legs. Although angioplasty and stenting are generally effective initially in relieving the blockage, in about 30-40% of patients, the blockage comes back within the first year. This re blocking of the artery is called 'restenosis".
Cryoplasty is a new procedure aimed preventing restenosis following treatment of blocked leg arteries. This new treatment may make the results of angioplasty last longer and provide an alternative to stenting. Early studies of cryoplasty have shown that with this new technology the chance of reblockage occurring may be cut in half.
Cryoplasty involves the use of a balloon tipped catheter that can simultaneously relieve the blockage and cool or freeze the area of the artery being treated. It is felt that this cooling of the artery is gentler on the surrounding tissue than traditional balloon angioplasty thereby avoiding the scar formation response that can cause restenosis.
Not all people with blocked leg arteries are candidates for angioplasty, stenting or cryoplasty. You should see a doctor that specializes in vascular disease to determine the appropriate treatment for your particular condition. Our doctors diagnose and treat the full range of vascular diseases - if you would like to make an appointment for a vascular disease evaluation with one of our physicians, please click on the "make an appointment" link at the top of the page. We look forward to helping you with your vascular disease concerns.
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