Foot saved from amputation through a modern procedure for blocked arteries

Peripheral arterial disease (also known as obliterative arteriopathy) occurs when blood vessels narrow and blood flow to the tissues decreases. If not detected and treated in time, the condition can lead to severe complications, including amputation of the affected limb.

A patient named Adrian experienced this problem first-hand. Despite strictly following his recommended treatments, his condition progressively worsened, eventually resulting in the loss of his left leg. Fearing he might lose the other one as well, he sought a consultation at SANADOR, arriving by SANADOR Ambulance as he was unable to travel independently.

Diagnosis and solution

The patient was seen by Dr. Elena Nechifor, a consultant cardiovascular surgeon, who recommended an endovascular procedure to destroy calcified atherosclerotic plaques from within the blood vessel itself. The technique used is based on the Jetstream atherectomy system.

The Jetstream system comprises a console and specialised catheters capable of breaking down even the hardest calcium deposits. To prevent the risk of pulmonary embolism — which can occur if fragments of thrombus or atherosclerotic plaque migrate following their destruction — the device also features an active aspiration system.

The procedure

Adrian agreed to the proposed treatment, and the procedure was performed by Dr. Andrada Bogdan, a consultant cardiologist with a subspecialty in interventional cardiology. The intervention lasted three and a half hours and was completed without complications.

During the postoperative period, the patient's progress was favourable. Adrian was able to feel his leg completely warm again — a sensation he had not experienced for a long time.

How the condition is investigated

At SANADOR, patients with cardiovascular conditions have access to specialist consultations and advanced investigations for an accurate diagnosis. When peripheral arterial disease is suspected, physicians may recommend a peripheral arteriography, a procedure performed in the Catheterisation Laboratory, which is equipped with two high-performance Philips Azurion 7 angiography units.

Atherectomy using the Jetstream system is performed at SANADOR Clinical Hospital by cardiologists with a subspecialty in interventional cardiology, supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising specialists in cardiovascular surgery, vascular surgery, anaesthesia and intensive care, cardiology, echocardiography, and medical imaging.