CHILTON INTRODUCES NEW THERAPY FOR
PERIPHERAL ARTERY DISEASE
Treatment Lowers Risk for Heart Attack and Stroke
M
ost people
recognize the
perils of smoking,
high blood pressure and
high cholesterol. However,
more than eight million
Americans are walking
around with another common condition that is often
less familiar yet equally
hazardous to their health:
peripheral artery disease
(PAD). Caused by plaque
build-up in the legs and
other limbs, PAD clogs the
arteries – and can lead to
life-threatening complications if left untreated.
While there is no cure,
those afflicted can find new hope at Chilton Medical Center.
This year Chilton became one of the first hospitals in New
Jersey to pioneer a promising new therapy for restoring circulation and improving the quality of life for patients with PAD.
Much like coronary artery disease, PAD occurs when fatty
deposits accumulate inside the arteries, resulting in narrowed
passageways or blockages that restrict blood flow. The disease
is most frequently found in the upper legs, where individuals
may experience painful cramping while walking, climbing
stairs, or even at rest in severe cases. Without proper medical
treatment, PAD dramatically increases the risk for amputation,
sudden heart attack and stroke.
According to interventional cardiologist Lawrence Blitz,
MD, of Wayne, many patients can be treated with exercise,
lifestyle modification and medication. But that’s not always
enough. When those options fail or the disease has progressed,
the next step is interventional therapy to open the arteries
mechanically.
“We have many tools for restoring blood flow,” explains
Dr. Blitz. Interventional treatments include balloon angioplasty,
during which a tiny balloon is inflated inside the artery to clear
the blockage, as well as stents, mesh-like tubes that are permanently implanted in the artery. “These techniques are effective,
but not perfect,” he adds.
“Both treatments carry a
high rate of recurrence. In
many cases, the blockage
returns and the patient
needs another procedure
within 12 months.”
That’s why Chilton
physicians are encouraged
by the latest advance in
PAD care, drug-coated
balloons. Last fall, the
intervention was approved
by the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration for PAD in
the upper leg. And early
studies suggest that the
newest device – recently
introduced at Chilton –
offers patients the most promising outcomes yet.
Drug-coated balloons are designed to restore blood flow in
the upper leg by reopening narrowed or blocked arteries and
delivering medication to the artery walls. During the minimally
invasive procedure, the device creates a channel for blood flow
by pushing the plaque away while medication on the balloon’s
surface is then absorbed into the artery. “The technique
prevents scar tissue from developing after the intervention
and avoids the risks associated with implanting a foreign
entity, such as a stent,” notes Dr. Blitz, who pioneered the
procedure at Chilton.
Most importantly, drug-coated balloons appear to keep the
arteries open longer than other available treatments, minimizing
the need for repeat procedures, according to Dr. Blitz.
“The goal is to relieve symptoms while improving circulation and lowering the patient’s risk for heart attack and stroke,”
he asserts. “With drug-coated balloons, Chilton has one more
option to help individuals successfully manage their disease
and lead a healthier life.” ❖
To learn more about PAD and/or the best treatment options
for you, consult with your doctor or call 1-800-247-9580 for
referral to an experienced Chilton physician.
Supplement to wayne magazine