The delay in diagnosing peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, often leads to amputation of limbs in many patients, Ashish Kumar Mandalay, chairman, cardiology department, Meitra Hospital here, says.
He told the media after a workshop on Thursday that drug eluting balloon angioplasty had now emerged as a new method to avoid limb amputation. Sven Braunlich of Leipzig University, Germany, who supervised the workshop, said that this treatment had long-term benefits too.
As a result of PAD, legs don’t get enough blood flow. Through drug eluting balloon angioplasty, a drug-coated balloon is inserted into the site of the blockage of blood vessels and the blockage is removed by dilatation of the balloon. The drug on the balloon helps prevent recurrence of the blockage at the same site. It helps improve blood flow in the limb, heals the ulcers and prevent amputation.
Dr. Mandalay said that PAD was a common problem affecting mainly diabetics and smokers and the common cause for diabetic ulcers, foot amputations and limb loss. However, he pointed out that most patients fail to understand its symptoms and approach the doctors only after they notice a change in the colour of their limbs. Ali Faizal, chief of clinical services, cardiology, Meitra Hospital, said that compared to the high number PAD patients in Kerala, those seeking treatment were very few.
According to experts, painful cramping in hips, thighs or calf muscles after activities such as walking or climbing stairs, weakness or leg numbness, coldness in the lower leg or foot, sores on toes, feet or legs are some of the symptoms. “Doctors too often don’t get enough time to detect the blockage in the vessels. The pulse on the legs should be checked properly to diagnose PAD,” Dr. Mandalay added.