New Technology at Deaconess Saves Limbs
 
Peripheral vascular disease is a common problem for individuals with diabetes. This correlation is due to complications from the disease that may cause damage to the large and small blood vessels of the legs and feet.
 
However, new technology at Deaconess Medical Center offers patients a hopeful alternative to amputation. Through the use of a cool laser, physicians are able to send a tiny catheter into the arteries of the leg to help restore blood flow.
 
“The arteries in the leg are too small for a traditional sized catheter,” said Jan Schmidlkofer, manager for Deaconess' cardiac catheterization laboratory. “Due to its size, the new Clirpath laser allows us to safely enter and remove much of the built up plaque in areas we haven't been able to reach before.”
 
Schmidlkofer says the laser's small catheter enters in through the femoral artery in the hip and can travel as far down as a patient's calf. During use, the catheter actively cuts away plaque from the arterial walls and destroys it. With the plaque removed, significant blood flow is restored to the legs and feet.

“The results we've seen so far are remarkable,” Schmidlkofer said. “We had a diabetic patient whose sores were so severe, walking around was too painful. However, within weeks of this procedure, the patient's wounds were almost completely healed.”
 
While not everyone with vascular disease will be a candidate for the laser Schmidlkofer said, the overall objective is to help slow the progression of the disease and restore a higher quality of life to people who suffer from it.
 
“Although there are still some areas in the lower portion of the leg and foot even the laser can't get to, we're very excited to offer an alternative to amputation,” said Schmidlkofer. “When you're able to spare someone the emotional and physical agony of limb loss, it's truly a great thing. Their whole outlook on life improves.”