New Minimally Invasive Procedure Offers Relief for

Severe Leg Pain by Cleaning Out the Arteries

May 18, 2005, Birmingham, AL . . . Brookwood Medical Center patients now have another alternative in the treatment of a painful condition known as Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD).  The SilverHawk Plaque Excision System is a new FDA-cleared device for the removal of harmful plaque from blocked arteries in the legs.

This unique device uses a tiny rotating blade the size of a grain of rice to shave away large quantities of plaque from inside the artery.  As it is excised, the plaque collects in the tip of the device and then is removed from the patient.

The SilverHawk device used at Brookwood cleans out the artery by actually removing the plaque.  Like angioplasty, plaque excision is a minimally invasive procedure performed through a tiny puncture site.

“Some patients cannot walk half a block without feeling severe cramping in the legs,” commented Dr. Eric Cohen, a cardiologist at Brookwood Medical Center.  “This device may provide relief to patients and improve their quality of life.”

PVD affects nearly 10 million people in the United States.  Similar to cardiovascular disease, PVD is often caused by a buildup of fat and cholesterol, known as plaque, which disrupts normal blood flow to arteries in the vascular system.  Symptoms of the disease often include severe pain, numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg.  Leg pain, known as claudication, can be so extreme that patients have difficulty walking even short distances.

Those at risk for developing PVD include patients with high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.  Other contributing factors include obesity, smoking and an inactive lifestyle.  Consult with your physician to find out if you are at risk.