New Approaches to the Treatment of Peripheral Artery Disease
Modern Vascular helps patients maintain their lifestyle and avoid lower leg amputations. Modern Vascular brings new hope to Peripheral Artery Disease patients across the US through its use of cutting-edge technology and minimally invasive outpatient procedures. This is why Global Healthcare and Pharma is recognizing Modern Vascular. Founded in 2017, Modern Vascular was established with a mission to rid of the unnecessary lower leg and foot amputations in the general public. Specifically, among the poor and underserved. Now, Modern Vascular operates 16 clinics across the US with plans to add more clinics by the end of 2021.
PAD and associated amputations are at an epidemic level in this country. The crisis is even more alarming in the underserved African-American and Indigenous American communities. We find these trends unacceptable. Our below-the-knee and below-the-ankle procedures give patients alternatives to these amputations. We owe it to this population to expand our treatments to as many communities as possible.
More than 12 million people in the US suffer from PAD, more than all cancers combined. Still, awareness of PAD is very low, and 40% of those with the disease do not exhibit symptoms until the blockage is severe. PAD is known among vascular experts as a “silent killer,” with symptoms that sometimes take years to develop.
Understanding PAD: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatments
“PAD can happen gradually over the years,” says Dr. Jeffrey Martinez. Dr. Martinez is a board-certified vascular surgeon with additional training in endovascular surgery. He is also the managing physician at one of Modern Vascular’s two San Antonio clinics. “You can be young and without symptoms for a while before you start to feel pain in your legs which, for many patients, is a first and important symptom.” That pain is from atherosclerosis, the blockage of arteries sticky with plaque. It can cause people to have to stop and rest often when walking. They may even start to notice stubborn wounds on their feet as the disease progresses. Left untreated, PAD can lead to muscle wasting, critical limb ischemia, gangrene, and amputation. After amputation, there is a 5-year mortality rate of 50%. The good news is that up to 90% of these amputations are preventable.
Taking a Modern Approach to Treat Peripheral Artery Disease
Traditionally, the treatment for PAD has been surgical bypass, requiring hospital stays and lengthy recovery times. Luckily, advances in technology offer new treatments for peripheral artery disease. At Modern Vascular, treatment for PAD is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure using sedation and a needle puncture. Depending on the size and location of the blockages, the doctors have three different treatments to restore blood flow.
- Widen the artery using a balloon
- Shave off plaque
- Use a stent to keep the artery expanded
The puncture site is sealed with a closure device and patients can go home within an hour, often with a pair of compression stockings to help with swelling. Typically, patients report an increase in the feeling in the foot right after the procedure and are back to normal activities within 24 – 48 hours.
At Modern Vascular, treatment for PAD is a minimally invasive outpatient procedure using sedation and a needle puncture.
Revascularization Instead of Amputation
What makes Modern Vascular different from other vascular facilities is its specialization in restoring arterial blood flow to the toe. In the most difficult vascular cases where others may have recommended amputation, Modern Vascular can revascularize the arteries in the lower leg, including the pedal loop. This is a complicated procedure that can intimidate many physicians who are less experienced with the procedure, but because of Modern Vascular’s training and concentration on these specific procedures, Modern Vascular physicians can restore blood flow to the toe.
I had been in a motorcycle accident and I was 48 hours away from getting my big toe amputated. In a last ditch effort to save my toe, I reached out to Modern Vascular. Now, not only is it saved, but it feels better than before the accident.
Providing Options and Hope
“Some of these patients have been led to believe there’s no hope,” Dr. Martinez says. “We’ve been able to restore that hope and change lives by giving patients an option that no one else has. The development of minimally invasive therapies to treat Peripheral Artery Disease has greatly advanced over the last 10 years and I am proud to be helping Modern Vascular utilize and expand on these advances.”
I knew as soon as I woke up, the surgery had been a success. I was home the same day and by the next day I was walking pain-free. I walk 10,000 steps every day, sometimes 20,000… I am extremely happy with my outcome. Imagine after so many years, I am finally pain-free, and the solution was right here in my neighborhood. I would absolutely recommend Dr. Pozun and Modern Vascular to anyone.
New Treatments for PAD
Although not a cure for PAD, the interventions at Modern Vascular help those with PAD restore their quality of life by enabling them to reengage in daily activities and exercise. The mission of Modern Vascular is to return every patient to their home and family, the same day and in better health. Most of our patients are older, many with a history of diabetes or smoking. We work closely with our patients to encourage long-term lifestyle changes and monitor them carefully to make sure that they maintain the health benefits of their procedure for as long as possible.
“Some of these patients have been led to believe there’s no hope,” Dr. Martinez says. “We’ve been able to restore that hope and change lives by giving patients an option that no one else has. The development of minimally invasive therapies to treat Peripheral Artery Disease has greatly advanced over the last 10 years and I am proud to be helping Modern Vascular utilize and expand on these advances.”
New treatments for PAD that save limbs & lives.
Modern Vascular is a group of healthcare companies headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona. These clinics specialize in the treatment of peripheral artery disease (PAD) through infrapopliteal, inframalleolar, and pedal endovascular arterial reconstruction. Most patients report reduced pain, rapidly healing wounds, and a better quality of life post-procedure. Modern Vascular procedures are also an important step in avoiding future limb amputation and extending life expectancy in diabetic, cardiovascular, and peripheral artery disease patients. Modern Vascular operates and manages clinics across the following states:
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Indiana
- Kansas
- Kentucky (Coming Soon)
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Mexico
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
For educational videos on PAD and its treatment, visit our video library.
