Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a slow, progressive circulation disorder, typically affecting the legs and feet.  Organs supplied by these vessels such as the brain, heart, and legs, may not receive adequate blood flow for ordinary function. The most common cause of PAD is atherosclerosis (the buildup of plaque inside the artery wall). Plaque reduces the amount of blood flow to the limbs and decreases the oxygen and nutrients available to the tissue. Clots may form on the artery walls, further decreasing the inner size of the vessel and potentially blocking off major arteries.

An atherectomy is a procedure in which doctors remove this plaque from a blood vessel. A catheter is inserted into the artery through a small puncture in the artery, and it is performed under local anesthesia. The catheter is designed to collect the removed plaque in a chamber in the tip, which allows removal of the plaque as the device is removed from the artery. The process can be repeated at the time the treatment is performed to remove a significant amount of disease from the artery, thus eliminating a blockage.

If your doctor recommends atherectomy to treat Peripheral Vascular Disease or Peripheral Artery Disease, ask about the minimally-invasive procedure at The Jackson Clinic.