New Options for Diabetic Patients at Risk of Losing a Lower Extremity

Vascular Procedure Reduces Risk of Amputation

(PHOENIX - June 10, 2008) It is reported that diabetes-related lower extremity amputations are increasing at an alarming rate. Patients with critical limb ischemia or gangrene have few options and often require amputation. Phoenix Baptist Hospital (PBH) recently began offering an alternative, a limb salvage program utilizing several modalities to restore circulation.

The dedicated multi-disciplinary wound care clinic, led by PBH affiliated interventional cardiologist, Dr. Rajul Patel, is one of very few available to patients in Phoenix. The patient's circulation is restored to the legs by various percutaneous modalities including angioplasty, atherectomy and stents for example.

"The goal is to prevent and/or minimize amputations," says Dr. Patel. "This gives patients a better chance at a more active lifestyle and allows them to escape the tragedy of losing an entire limb in many cases."

PBH began offering this treatment option in May. This effective, but rare procedure, is done under local anesthesia, can last up to three hours and often requires a single overnight stay in the hospital. Those most at risk for Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) are diabetics who smoke, have had renal failure, and are 65 years or older.

"Before I had the procedure, it was very difficult to walk and I became very depressed," said patient Ramanbhai Patel. "Dr. Patel performed my procedure this March, and I am already up and walking with my friends again; he gave me my life back."

For interviews or to learn more about this procedure, please contact Lisa Levi at 602-674-1419.