BAY CITY, MI – McLaren Bay Region has become the first hospital in the country to perform a procedure using new technology designed to treat patients with severe peripheral artery disease.
The Bay City hospital and vascular surgeon Nicolas Mouawad performed the procedure using the SEISMIQ Intravascular Lithotripsy system, a minimally invasive treatment for patients whose condition has become difficult to treat through traditional methods.
Peripheral artery disease affects tens of millions of Americans.The condition involves a narrowing of the arteries that reduces blood flow to the limbs, most often in the legs.In severe cases, plaque buildup in those arteries becomes calcified, further hardening the arteries and limiting treatment options.
The SEISMIQ system uses laser-generated acoustic pressure waves to fracture hardened calcium within artery walls without damaging soft tissue.This prepares the blood vessel for further treatment, such as balloon angioplasty or stent placement.
“This procedure represents a meaningful advancement in our ability to treat complex PAD cases with minimally invasive techniques, but more impactful, it provides patients with the benefit of a significantly improved outcome using lithotripsy,” Mouawad said in a statement.“By enhancing our ability to more effectively treat this calcification — or hardening of the arteries — we are able to provide patients with safer, more reliable care when addressing this complex condition.”
For patients with advanced peripheral artery disease, calcification presents particular challenges because restoring adequate blood flow to the limbs is essential for wound healing and limb preservation.
The system provides surgeons with feedback during procedures, allowing them to make adjustments to achieve better outcomes.
Two clinical trials have evaluated the SEISMIQ system for treating peripheral artery disease, and it is being considered for other applications.The technology has been recognized for delivering high success rates, low complication risks, and improvements in quality of life for patients with challenging calcified lesions, particularly those with critical limb-threatening ischemia..
