Does Your Patient Have PAD? A Reference Guide for Physicians
Know the Facts about Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 18 million people in the United States suffer from Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD), a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. Although estimates suggest that anywhere from 12 to 20 percent of individuals over the age of 60 are living with PAD, most Americans remain unaware of PAD symptoms.
Unfortunately, as many as 180,000 Americans will undergo a limb amputation as result of PAD-related condition this year. But amputation is not the only answer! Identifying arterial disease early may improve a patient’s quality of life and allow early medical and surgical interventions to lower the risk of critical limb ischemia and amputation.
As a physician, you are your patients’ first line of defense. So it is critically important to be on the lookout for typical symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease, which can include:
- Leg pain with walking
- Numbness in the toes
- Wounds on the toes or feet
- Gangrene
Individuals with high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes are at greatest risk for PAD. Anyone who has suffered from diabetes for over 15 years should be evaluated by a vascular surgeon.
The Importance of Early Detection and Proper Diagnosis
Dr. Polly G. Kokinos, a board-certified Vascular and General Surgeon in Campbell, CA, is recognized as one of the region’s foremost authorities in the diagnosis and treatment of PAD. Dr. Kokinos has dedicated her entire career to serving the South Bay community as an independent physician and a pioneer in the treatment of patients suffering from Peripheral Arterial Disease.
Early detection and treatment are critical to controlling the disease and allowing patients a full selection of treatment options. In an effort to help front line doctors better evaluate and diagnose PAD, Dr. Kokinos has given many lectures to primary care physicians, internists, podiatrists, and orthopedic surgeons about the management of lower extremity arterial and venous disease and the signs and symptoms to look for.
Due to the complex nature of vascular disease, an evidence-based multidisciplinary approach is essential to early assessment, proper diagnosis, and optimal treatment.
How Treatment for PAD Has Changed
Over the past 15 years, the interventional treatment of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) has changed significantly. Minimally invasive endovascular procedures have replaced many traditional surgical procedures as the dominant intervention.
More recently, pedal access techniques, which access the blocked area from the toe instead of a traditional access point in the patient’s groin, have shown, in certain instances, to be significantly more successful than earlier methods of revascularizing the impacted area. Because Dr. Kokinos has performed more pedal access approach procedures than anyone in Northern California, she can provide patients with more options for treating their disease.
Other treatment options for PAD include medical management, exercise and lifestyle modifications, and surgical bypass amputation (when absolutely necessary).
South Bay Vascular Center & Vein Institute: Designed for PAD Treatment
Founded by Dr. Polly Kokinos, South Bay Vascular Center & Vein Institute is a nationally accredited Vascular Surgery Center of Excellence. Unlike traditional hospital operating rooms, this state-of-the-art facility in Campbell, CA was specifically designed as a PAD intervention and treatment facility.
At South Bay Vascular, physicians leverage advanced technology (including Ziehm C-Arms with Flat Panel Detectors and Phillips Intra Vascular Ultrasound imaging systems) to provide the most advanced surgical techniques available in this area.
With a vast inventory of specialized medical devices not found in traditional operating rooms, South Bay Vascular’s surgeons can perform advanced, minimally invasive surgical procedures to provide the best possible outcomes in the most difficult circumstances.
If you suspect any of your patients may have symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease or other complex vascular or arterial issues, we would be honored to meet with them to discuss their symptoms. Please refer them to South Bay Vascular Center & Vein Institute (with offices in Campbell and Gilroy, CA) or call 408-376-3626 to schedule an appointment.
For more information, go to southbayvascular.com.