Patient Information

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) of the lower extremities is a condition in which the arteries in the legs begin to narrow, resulting in a reduction of blood flow. PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, which is plaque build-up or "hardening of the arteries."

RISK FACTORS

• Smoking
  
• Diabetes
  
• Over Age 50
  
• High Cholesterol
  
• High Blood Pressure

• Smooth inner wall
• Blood flow passes freely

A Narrowed Artery

When plaque build-up develops on the artery walls, blood flow is partially blocked. During activity, your muscles may not receive enough oxygen during walking, causing Intermittent Claudication.

Note:

• Plaque build-up in artery walls
• Blood flow is partially blocked

A Blocked Artery

Blood flow may be completely blocked by plaque or by a blood clot that lodges in a severely narrowed artery. Without treatment, the entire foot or part of the leg may be lost to disease.

Note:

• Artery completely blocked
• Experiencing Rest Pain
• Ulcers that are difficult to heal

• Endovascular Surgery
• Open Surgery, or Bypass
• Drugs
• Exercise Programs
• ArtAssist Device

Due to the risks of surgery, patients with Intermittent Claudication are not usually offered an operation that bypasses the blockage, using either their vein in the leg or a synthetic tube called a graft. New drug therapies have been effective in improving the walking distances in people with Intermittent Claudication; however, the added walking distance is small and there are those that do not tolerate the side effects. In addition, the benefits of these drugs are lost after they are no longer taken and so you may be using these drugs for life - an expensive proposition.

In cases of Rest Pain or arterial ulcers, surgery to open or bypass the obstruction is often the best therapy, usually with good long-term results. There are, however, patients that cannot undergo the surgery or in whom the surgery has already failed.

Now patients have another option, ArtAssist…the Arterial Assist Device. It is a simple but effective advanced medical technology that is used at home to increase blood flow with permanent improvement possible through arteriogeneisis (opening of small bypass arteries).

The ArtAssist Device stimulates arteriogenesis, the opening of numerous, small collateral arteries that naturally bypass obstructed vessels. This results in long term improvements.

Diabetic Foot/Arterial Ulcers

The diabetic foot ulcer is one of the most common and devastating complications of diabetes mellitus. Each year, close to 100,000 amputations are performed on people with diabetes in the United States alone. When a patient develops an ulcer on the foot due to poor circulation, even the best dressings and expensive drug therapies may not help without sufficient blood to the wound. If adequate blood flow is not reestablished, amputation may result.

The ArtAssist Device dramatically increases blood flow by three times. It is helping to heal wounds and prevent amputations.

Intermittent Claudication

Approximately 1 million Americans are diagnosed annually for leg pain caused by poor circulation, called intermittent claudication.3 If an artery is partially obstructed due to plaque build up (artherosclerosis), activities such as walking or climbing stairs can trigger pains or aches that are relieved with rest. This is a sign that leg muscles may not be getting enough oxygen and nutrients. As a result of inadequate blood flow, walking distance may be severely impaired.

The ArtAssist Device increases walking distance by three times and increases blood pressure at the ankle.

Rest Pain

With advancement of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), leg pain may become constant, event at rest. If adequate blood is not restored, an ulcer may develop, possibly leading to amputation.

The ArtAssist Device dramatically increases blood flow by three times. It is helping to heal wounds and prevent amputations.