ZACHARYâ€" Dr. Deepak Thekkoott, interventional cardiologist at Cardiovascular Institute of the South, is the first and currently the only physician in the East Baton Rouge area to offer a groundbreaking treatment option to those suffering from the debilitating effects of peripheral arterial disease (PAD)â€"the Diamondback 360*TM Orbital Atherectomy System.
The device removes plaque from blocked arteries, therefore allowing increased blood flow, treating PAD and eliminating the need for amputation. PAD accounts for 90 percent of amputations overall and is the leading cause of amputation in people age 50 and older. More than half of those who receive an amputation have never had a diagnostic angiogram to determine if blood blow could be restored.
PAD is a common, yet life-threatening condition that affects 8 to 12 million Americans. Fatty material called plaque builds up on the inside walls of the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to legs and arms. The build-up of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrowâ€"a condition called atherosclerosis which reduces blood flow to the legs and feet. PAD can cause heavy, tired or painful legs or feet also known as claudication. If allowed to progress, the disease can lead to critical limb ischemia (CLI), which may result in amputation of the leg.
By striving to answer the need for a safer, more effective procedure to treat tough, calcified plaque, the Diamondback 360*TM System optimizes the ability to remove plaque and restore flow for treating the diseaseâ€"ultimately improving the patient’s quality of life and saving limbs.
The first procedure with this new device was performed by Dr. Thekkoott on November 24 at Lane Regional Medical Center (LRMC) in Zachary. Dr. Thekkoott has played a pivotal role in demonstrating the potential safety and effectiveness of this new technology and its ability to provide new hope for treating the disease.
“I hope this technique will enhance the knowledge of PAD as a whole,” said Dr. Thekkoott. “The public should know the first line of treatment of PAD is catheter-based and not surgery.”
The device uses a unique orbital motion with a tiny, diamond-coated “crown” to sand away the plaque while preserving the healthy tissue of the arterial wall. As the crown rotates and rapidly spins, or “orbits,” centrifugal force presses the crown against the plaque, removing a small amount of plaque with each orbit. The orbital motion is designed to create a smooth vessel opening to improve blood flow.
Dr. Charles Thompson, interventional cardiologist at CIS Zachary, said that the procedure can open an artery that has been closed for a long time by actually removing the hard, calcified plaque that has been the source of the long-term obstruction. The artery is then expected to remain open for a longer period of time once the procedure is done. “By doing this treatment as opposed to other procedures, the risk of artery rupture is dramatically reduced and therefore, the risk of needing major surgery is nearly eliminated,” he added.
Less than two million people are actually diagnosed with PAD and less than 700,000 are treated each year. PAD symptoms include pain or numbness in the legs, foot or toe pain, and wounds on the feet that are slow to heal. People who are at risk for PAD include anyone older than age 50; those who smoke or who have smoked; and those who have diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure or a personal family history of vascular disease. In fact, one in three people over age 50 with diabetes is likely to have PAD. If you have any of these factors or symptoms, consult a doctor to determine your risk.
“CIS is a world-wide leader in treating PAD, and the public should be proud and excited about this type of world-class care being offered right here in Baton Rouge,” said Dr. Thekkoott.
The first to open a cardiology practice in Zachary, CIS works hand-in-hand with LRMC to provide total and complete cardiovascular care to patients. CIS provides the Zachary and Baton Rouge communities with innovative procedures and the latest technology coupled with compassionate care. This mission has guided the institute for more than 26 years of service to south Louisiana. For more information about CIS, call 1-800-425-2565 or visit www.cardio.com. Also, visit Cardiovascular Institute of the South on Facebook and Twitter to find the latest educational information and company updates.
