Approximately 6.5 million people age 40 and older in the United States have peripheral artery disease (PAD), according to the Center for Disease Control. In the Rome/Floyd County community and the surrounding areas, the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, impact the likelihood of the population experiencing PAD and other vascular diseases — a reason Harbin Clinic has invested in the latest technology and practices available in the field of peripheral vascular health.

PAD, the most common vascular disease, is caused by plaque buildup in the arteries which restricts blood flow and causes symptoms such as leg pain, cramping, numbness or sores on the legs or feet that do not heal. Vascular diseases such as PAD can also be dangerous because they often go undiagnosed. Patients sometimes assume their ailment is arthritis, soreness, or even a skin condition, and do not get their legs checked.

REENGINEERING THE SOLUTION

In the 1980s, physicians began using the angioplasty procedure in vessels beyond the coronary arteries. During angioplasty, physicians use special imaging and guide a small tube (or catheter) with a tiny balloon on the end to the blocked artery. Then, the balloon inflates in the narrowed spot where there is plaque buildup. At this point, physicians choose whether or not to insert a stent to help keep the walls from narrowing again.

Although vascular surgeons still use this procedure today, they have seen significant technological advances in these tiny techniques. Describing these advancements, Harbin Clinic Vascular Surgeon Dr. Frank Stegall Jr. explains, “At one point in time, vascular procedures were routinely far more invasive. Patients who underwent procedures regularly required a lengthy hospital stay or would need significant recovery time. But now, our patients often receive quick, same-day outpatient care thanks to continued advances in minimally-invasive vascular surgery available in Rome-Floyd County.”

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY FOR THE BEST CARE

Harbin Clinic shares a few ways recent technological advances have made patient experiences easier and more comfortable.

An Ability to See & Maneuver More Clearly

Because patients are familiar with X-rays and ultrasounds, what they experience in the vascular context might not feel innovative from an imaging standpoint. However, recent advancements in non-invasive imaging provide physicians with detailed, live depictions of the intricate anatomy and pathology of vascular conditions without invasive procedures. Likewise, remote monitoring and guidance systems give surgeons higher precision and more control during detailed operations. For the patient, innovations such as these often go unnoticed as their benefits are experienced as quicker patient recovery and more comfort.

An Ability to Make Smaller Changes

Another significant technological advancement has come in the size of the tools used for surgery. Once procedures like angioplasty were more common, the devices and tools used during surgery began to shrink and become lower profile. For the patient, these benefits look like less invasive entry points and less trauma to vessels during surgery. Also, patients are less likely to experience complications during surgery.

An Ability to Cure Beyond Surgical Intervention

Still, possibly the greatest advancement in vascular technology has come in the form of bioabsorbable technologies, such as bioresorbable stents and drug-coated balloons, which improve the longevity of interventions and reduce risks of their recurrence. In contrast to the original metal coil stents, these do not have to remain in the body. Instead, they act as a temporary support that gradually dissolves, leaving a healed vessel behind. Similarly, during angioplasty, physicians can now insert balloons that not only widen the passageway for blood flow but also deliver medication directly to the area of concern for an added layer of protection.

With vascular health playing a critical role in maintaining proper circulation throughout the body, and in turn, overall well-being, these exciting medical advancements are worth celebrating. Thanks to the Harbin Clinic physicians who have worked tirelessly to bring these innovations to northwest GA, revolutionizing vascular care and offering patients and surgeons alike greater precision, safety, and accessibility.

Learn more about vascular health at harbinclinic.com.

Press Release Harbin Clinic