Thomas, an 81-year-old retiree, suffered from peripheral artery disease and claudication, cramping pain in the leg caused by too little blood flow. At first, the pain was noticeable only when exercising, but it progressed enough to affect him when he was at rest. He also developed discolored skin and gangrene toes from his blood flow is severely reduced.
In peripheral artery disease, the arteries that supply blood to your limbs are damaged, usually as a result of atherosclerosis or hardening and narrowing of the arteries. Atherosclerosis can develop in any of your arteries, especially those in your heart. When atherosclerosis affects your arms and legs, it’s called peripheral artery disease.
Not only did the blockages in Thomas’ arteries cause him debilitating symptoms, but they were also putting his life at risk. Thomas was anticipating a leg amputation.
Thankfully, various endovascular procedures can help prevent amputation and restore blood flow to damaged tissue. After treatment, blood flows once again to the limb and reverses injury to tissues.
Dr. Ashchi and his team at Shinsegae Heart & Vascular Center performed a peripheral angiogram to test blood flow and found that Thomas had a 75% blockage in his leg arteries. Dr. Ashchi then performed a laser atherectomy to remove plaque and scar tissue and placed four stents to restore blood flow to the entire leg from the foot up to the pelvis.
Dr. Majdi Ashchi has extensive experience with interventions to treat simple to complex vascular blockages such as clots or cholesterol plaques that may otherwise result in amputation or severe disability. And most of these procedures can be done in our free-standing cath lab located adjacent to our University Boulevard office. Dr. Ashchi’s limb-saving endovascular procedures helped Thomas to enjoy a more active life and avoid amputation.
Remember: Finding and treating PAD early can help keep your legs healthy, lower your risk for heart attack or stroke, and save your life and limbs.
To make an appointment with our specialists, please contact us at 904.339.2335 or visit our Locations for our locations.