Saving Legs With Newer, More Flexible Stents

Patients with painful, gangrenous peripheral artery disease commonly faced the real possibility of amputation. Now, a new generation of smaller, more flexible stents appears to be able to save the legs of these suffering individuals. Stents are tiny stainless-steel mesh coils that prop open endangered blood vessels in the leg.

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in the legs initially presents with symptoms of pain and cramping in the calf or thigh with activity. The disorder is seen in over 50 percent of people greater than 70 years of age. If not found, recommended with a full body scan, and treated, the disease can progress to skin ulcers and eventual gangrene as the blockages in the leg arteries progress. Up until now, these patients had few good options to choose from for treatment.

Historically, attempts to open these clogged leg arteries with balloon angioplasty and/or stenting techniques had not met with much success. Researchers from the University of Rochester in New York have recently reported that they have used newer, smaller and more flexible stents below the knee in an attempt to salvage the limb from amputation. They saved 43 of 57 limbs that were headed for certain amputation.

Centinela-Freeman Medical Center is participating in a national trial called the “Relax Study” in an attempt to corroborate these findings. By sparing the patient from a life-altering amputation, this non-surgical treatment offers new hope where previously there was none.

Mason Weiss, M.D., F.A.C.C., is a triple board certified physician with certification in internal medicine, general cardiology, and interventional cardiology Los Angeles. He has practiced medicine for 23 years and is a physician partner with the highly regarded APEX Cardiology team of physicians located at 501 East Hardy Street, Suite 200, Inglewood, California 90301
Main Office 310.672.3900
CT Office 310.672.9300
masonweiss@apexcardiology.com
www.apexcardiology.com

For more details visit: http://www.apexcardiology.com

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Dr. Weiss received both his undergraduate and medical degree from McGill University in Montreal, Canada. He then completed an internship at The Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal as well as medical residencies at both St. Michael's Hospital in Toronto and Toronto General Hospital. Dr. Weiss then completed a cardiology fellowship at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. He has been an active member in medical societies such as American College of Cardiology.

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