Jain Institute of Vascular Surgery (JIVAS) Hospital in association with the Clinical and Interventional Angiology, University of Berne, Switzerland has adopted a novel minimally invasive surgery to treat peripheral arterial disease.

The procedure involving Balloon Angioplasty followed by stenting process was conducted under the guidance of Dr Med Dai Do Do, Director of Peripheral Vascular Interventions and Deputy Head, Clinical and Interventional Angiology, University of Berne, Switzerland.

Acute leg pain and burning sensation in the toes may not be a normal symptom of tiredness, but a sign of leg attack or peripheral arterial disease, a condition leading to plaque build up in arteries. Lower Limb Ischaemia usually affects the legs, but also can affect the arteries which carry blood from the heart, head, arms, kidneys, and stomach. The incidence is higher among diabetes and smokers.

The most common symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease are cramps, pain or tiredness in the leg or hip muscles while walking or climbing stairs. One of the visible symptoms is the change of colour of the leg to blue. Leg attack can endanger the patient’s limb and life and if not treated at early stages may lead to gangrene or amputation of the leg in some cases, stated Dr Med Dai Do Do.

Going along with the growing incidence of the disease is the serious shortage of vascular surgeons which presently is estimated at around 20 in Bangalore who adopt the advanced procedures to treat Peripheral Arterial Disease.  It is crucial that there is increased awareness among public and medical professionals about vascular disease and the role played by vascular surgeons. Blocked arteries in the leg mirror the rest of the body. When a patient has blocked arteries in the heart it indicates a 30 per cent incidence of vascular disease in other parts of the body. A blocked artery in the leg shows a 60 to 70 per cent chance of vascular disease in other parts of the body, stated Dr K R Suresh, Vascular Surgeon, JIVAS.

 JIVAS performed over 275 endovascular procedures in 2010. The Institute will perform three endovascular procedures using the new process of Balloon Angioplasty followed by stenting process on patients with complications belonging to various stages of the disease. Leg attacks can be easily treated in the initial stages with appropriate medications and simple lifestyle modifications if the patient approaches a qualified vascular surgeon at the right time, pointed out Dr Suresh.