Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a cardiovascular condition that impairs blood flow to the extremities, impacting nearly 18 million Americans and contributing to over 160,000 amputations annually. Due to higher incidents of risk factors and comorbidities like diabetes, smoking, and obesity, Oklahomans are especially susceptible to PAD, which is also often underdiagnosed or mistaken for something else.
This serious condition develops gradually as plaque builds up in the arteries that supply blood to the legs, or the peripheral arteries. Over time, the accumulation of plaque hardens and narrows these arteries, restricting blood flow and limiting the circulation to the legs and feet. Without proper diagnosis and treatment, PAD can lead to severe complications, including coronary artery disease, heart attack, stroke, or even limb amputation.
PAD is a chronic condition. While it cannot be cured or reversed, it can be managed and treated to reduce pain and discomfort and improve your quality of life.
PAD treatment is typically a combination of lifestyle changes, medication, and/or a medical procedure and is intended to:
At CardioVascular Health Clinic, we specialize in PAD and innovative PAD treatments that focus on limb salvage and amputation prevention, including the retrograde tibio-pedal–or retro pedal–procedure. Led by Dr. Jim Melton, a national-caliber vascular surgeon with nearly 30 years of experience in treating PAD, our team of multidisciplinary specialists works together in a state-of-the-art facility to deliver comprehensive, whole-person care with a personalized approach to help reduce the impact of PAD on your life and prevent full limb amputation.
Accurate and timely diagnosis and treatment of PAD is paramount to limb preservation and preventing further complications. Worsening leg pain when walking or a wound that won’t heal are two of the most common indicators of PAD, but the patients who come in with them may not yet have a PAD diagnosis.
Moreover, many patients who have multiple or all risk factors associated with PAD also have coronary arterial disease, a condition similar to PAD but in the arteries of the heart.
CardioVascular Health Clinic is able to provide patients with a solution to their arterial disease. Patients are seen and evaluated quickly by an experienced specialist in an outpatient setting, with all diagnostic testing and treatment procedures performed on-site in our state-of-the-art outpatient cardiac catheterization lab. Patients who are referred to us with a non-healing wound typically have an appointment with a specialist within two weeks or sooner.
What sets CardioVascular Health Clinic apart in leading-edge PAD treatment is our state-of-the-art on-site cardiac catheterization (cath) lab, featuring the latest in innovative tools and technologies hand-picked by Dr. Melton, resources that may not even be available or easily accessible in a large hospital. The difference for our patients is a cath lab built and designed by an experienced vascular surgical specialist as opposed to a hospital administrator, which translates to the very best for our patients.
By performing nearly all of our treatment procedures in an outpatient setting, CardioVascular Health Clinic is able to deliver the quality, escalation, and continuity of care required for fast, effective treatment and limb salvation while reducing the financial burden for our patients. Our physicians have the freedom and autonomy to prioritize treatments, and our teams are always fully staffed, so patients receive top-notch care and personalized attention from pre-op to recovery and beyond, all at one convenient location.
Patients who receive PAD care from CardioVascular Health Clinic often become patients for life. Patients who develop PAD also tend to have other risk factors or comorbidities, such as carotid arterial disease (CAD), neuropathy, diabetes, and more, so in addition to extensive post-op monitoring, care, and follow ups to ensure proper healing and recovery, patients at CardioVascular Health Clinic also receive care from a multidisciplinary team of specialists, all under one roof. By bringing together experts from various fields of cardiovascular, vascular, and interventional care, CardioVascular Health Clinic patients benefit from a comprehensive and coordinated approach to treatment not just for their PAD but for all of their needs.
Treatment for Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) typically involves a combination of lifestyle changes, medications, and medical procedures designed to address the condition comprehensively. The primary goals of treatment are to reduce and manage symptoms, improve mobility and overall quality of life, and prevent the disease from progressing further. Effective PAD management can also significantly lower the risk of serious complications, such as heart attack, stroke, or limb amputation, helping patients maintain better long-term health.
Retrograde tibio-pedal
In addition to these treatment options, Dr. Melton and the physicians at CardioVascular Health Clinic have pioneered and perfected the retrograde tibio-pedal, or retro-pedal, procedure. This is a revolutionary new outpatient alternative to amputation that re-establishes blood flow and rescues the affected limb. This minimally invasive approach has a 96% success rate. It reduces the risk of bleeding complications, increases the probability of limb salvage, and improves patient recovery, requiring just two hours of post-surgical recovery time. It is highly successful for patients suffering from advanced PAD, even if they have not had success with other treatments in the past.
Dr. Melton is among a select number of vascular specialists in Oklahoma–and in the country–with the highly specialized training, skill, and experience necessary for successful retro-pedal procedures, and CardioVascular Health Clinic is Oklahoma’s only endovascular specialist that routine treats the small arteries within the feet and below the knees. As a result, amputation has not been the answer for the hundreds of CardioVascular Health Clinic patients Dr. Melton and his team have treated, many of whom originally sought CardioVascular Health Clinic for a second opinion about their diagnosis.
CardioVascular Health Clinic is at the forefront of innovative treatments for cardiovascular diseases, including Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). Our team of nationally recognized physicians, interventional radiologists, and cardiovascular specialists is dedicated to providing cutting-edge care designed to alleviate symptoms and enhance quality of life. Utilizing advanced techniques, state-of-the-art technology, and minimally invasive procedures, we focus on reducing recovery times, minimizing complications, and delivering exceptional patient outcomes. With years of expertise and a comprehensive, whole-person approach to treatment, we are redefining standards in PAD care across Oklahoma and across the country.
Please don’t wait until it’s too late. If you or a loved one are experiencing PAD symptoms, we can help. Call us at 405-701-9880 or book an appointment online today.
If you think you might have PAD, take our assessment to find out your level of risk for peripheral artery disease.
PAD is not reversible or curable, but it is manageable. You can take many steps to help control the symptoms and reduce pain or discomfort. Lifestyle changes may slow or halt disease progression and minimize potential complications.
As with any change to your health regimen, consult your doctor before starting any new diet or exercise. They can also be an excellent resource for services and tools to help you get—and stay—on the path toward a healthier life.
You may have PAD if you are suffering from one or more of the following symptoms
The more symptoms that you experience, the higher your risk of PAD.
PAD can affect anyone at any age, but several factors can increase your risk of developing it, including:
Most patients with PAD have at least one modifiable risk factor, such as smoking, and many patients who have PAD also have other risk factors or comorbidities, such as diabetes or high blood pressure. PAD is also highly genetic, but managing or controlling other risk factors can often either reduce your risk of developing the condition or prevent it altogether.
If you identify with one or more risk factors, speak to a CardioVascular Health Clinic physician today about steps to reduce your risk and prevent the disease from progressing. These may include smoking cessation, managing high blood pressure, or managing diabetes.
