Peripheral artery disease

Peripheral Artery Disease Intervention Treatments: Jaikirshan Khatri, MD What is atherectomy for PAD? How common are atherectomies? In the U.S., about 6.5 million people ages 40 and older have PAD. Researchers estimate that healthcare providers in the U.S. perform more than 190,000 atherectomies annually. What are the types of atherectomies? All atherectomies remove plaque buildup from your arteries. Healthcare providers may use different types of blades or use lasers to remove plaque: • Excisional atherectomy: A blade cuts plaque in one direction. • Laser ablation atherectomy: A laser destroys plaque. • Orbital atherectomy: A spinning tool works like sandpaper to remove plaque. • Rotational atherectomy: Tiny blades cut plaque in a circular motion. Procedure Details What happens before atherectomy? Your healthcare provider may recommend certain tests to see narrowing or blockages in your arteries. You may have: • • Vascular ultrasound. Follow your provider’s instructions to prepare for the procedure, including whether you should: • Eat or drink. • Take medications (especially Your provider tells you when to arrive on the day of the procedure. When you arrive, you change into a hospital gown. A provider inserts a catheter to deliver What are the details of an atherectomy procedure? After you receive local anesthesia and mild sedation, your healthcare provider: • Inserts the catheter into your artery. • Moves the catheter along your artery to access the narrow or blocked are...

Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. “Assessing what you can achieve with diet therapy is important because this is part of the types of lifestyle changes you can make to reduce your risk,” says registered dietitian Julia Zumpano. Below are dietary recommendations based upon Total dietary recommendations: • Reduce saturated fats to no more than 5% to 6% of total calories. • Minimize mono-unsaturated fats (oleic acid found in canola and olive oil, nuts and avocado) and trans-fats. • Restrict sodium intake to no more than 1.5 to 2 grams per day. • Increase dietary fiber to 25-30 grams per day. The total effects of these dietary changes should show reduction in your bad cholesterol and a reduction in your blood pressure. A number of diets have been assessed by the AHA and the American College of Cardiology to determine their effectiveness. Specifically, the following diets have shown positive effects in preventing cardiovascular disease or decreasing progression of the disease. 1. The This diet increases good cholesterol (HDL-C) better than low-fat diets and improves quality and length of life in those who adopt it. This diet primarily consists of high proportions of: • Olive oil. • Legumes, such as peas, beans and lentils. • Whole grains. • Fruits and vegetables. • Nuts. • Fatty fish. It also includes moderate to high amounts of fish, moderate ...

Overview Arteriosclerosis and atherosclerosis are sometimes used to mean the same thing, but there's a difference between the two terms. Arteriosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that carry oxygen and nutrients from the heart to the rest of the body (arteries) become thick and stiff — sometimes restricting blood flow to the organs and tissues. Healthy arteries are flexible and elastic. But over time, the walls in the arteries can harden, a condition commonly called hardening of the arteries. Atherosclerosis is a specific type of arteriosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is the buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls. This buildup is called plaque. The plaque can cause arteries to narrow, blocking blood flow. The plaque can also burst, leading to a blood clot. Although atherosclerosis is often considered a heart problem, it can affect arteries anywhere in the body. Atherosclerosis can be treated. Healthy lifestyle habits can help prevent atherosclerosis. Symptoms Mild atherosclerosis usually doesn't have any symptoms. Atherosclerosis symptoms usually don't happen until an artery is so narrowed or clogged that it can't supply enough blood to organs and tissues. Sometimes a blood clot completely blocks blood flow. The clot may break apart and can trigger a heart attack or stroke. Symptoms of moderate to severe atherosclerosis depend on which arteries are affected. For example: • If you have atherosclerosis in your heart arteries, you may have...

What Is Atherosclerosis? You might hear it called arteriosclerosis or atherosclerotic You can prevent and treat this process. What Causes Atherosclerosis? Arteries are blood vessels that carry blood from your Atherosclerosis begins with damage to the endothelium. Common causes include: • High cholesterol • High blood pressure • • • That damage causes plaque to build up along the walls of your arteries. When bad cholesterol, or Plaque creates a bump on your artery wall. As atherosclerosis gets worse, that bump gets bigger. When it gets big enough, it can create a blockage. That process goes on throughout your entire body. It’s not only your heart at risk. You’re also at risk for Atherosclerosis usually doesn’t cause symptoms until you’re middle-age or older. As the narrowing becomes severe, it can choke off blood flow and What Are the Symptoms of Atherosclerosis? You might not have symptoms until your artery is nearly closed or until you have a heart attack or Symptoms related to your coronary arteries include: • • • Shortness of breath Symptoms related to the arteries that deliver • Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs • A hard time speaking or understanding someone who’s talking • Drooping facial muscles • • Severe • Symptoms related to the arteries of your arms, legs, and pelvis include: • • Numbness What Are the Risk Factors for Atherosclerosis? Atherosclerosis starts when you’re young. Research has found that even teenagers can have signs. If you’re 40 and general...