peripheral arterial disease
Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) results from build-up of plaque material (atherosclerosis) inside arteries that cause narrowing and blockages over time. We offer a range of percutaneous and surgical options in order to correct it.
OUR METHOD
PAD Interventions
PAD can be a serious problem and depending on where and how severe the blockages are, our team uses either Angioplasty or Bypass surgery in order to rectify the issue.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How do I know if I have PAD?
If you have pain in your feet at night or while sitting, ulcers on your feet that won’t heal or cramps in your calf muscles when you walk, you might have PAD. Your doctor can order a simple ultrasound test (called a doppler ultrasound) to determine if you have any significant disease in your arteries.
What is the cause of PAD?
Risk factors for PAD include age, male gender, smoking, high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol, and diabetes. If you have coronary artery disease or have had a stroke in the past, you may also be at higher risk for PAD.
Can anything be done to stop PAD?
Yes. There are lots of safe, easy things you can do to slow the progression of PAD. Smoking cessation is the most effective measure to reduce the impact of PAD. In addition, continued exercise (even if you get leg cramps), blood pressure control, blood sugar control (if you are diabetic), and decreasing your cholesterol all have a positive impact.
Are there any interventional options to treat PAD?
Yes. Depending on where and how severe the blockages in your arteries are, we offer a range of percutaneous (Angioplasty) and surgical (Bypass) options.
What is Bypass surgery?
Bypass surgery uses either veins or synthetic material to construct bypasses around blocked arteries. Although bypass offers the best long term results, procedures are performed under general anesthetic and large incisions are usually required. Most patients spend 1-2 weeks in hospital following bypass and can expect full recovery to take 2-3 months.
What is an Angioplasty?
Angioplasty is a method of treating Peripheral Artery Disease without traditional bypass surgery. Rather than long insicions, the arteries are accessed through a needle and the blockages are treated with balloons and stents.
Unlike bypass surgery, no general anaesthetic is required. Patients are completely awake during the procedure. Although some cramping can occur during the angioplasty, significant discomfort is uncommon.
Following angioplasty, patients remain in hospital for a 3 hour observation period and then can go home. For 48 hours following the procedure any strenuous activity is discouraged.
If symptoms return after angioplasty, the angioplasty can be repeated or a bypass procedure can always be performed at a later date.
Testimonial
“I can’t believe it took us this long to see Dr. Dueck and his team, they truly changed my life.”
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1805 Queen Street East, Toronto M4L 3Y3
fax 416 259.7975
Phone (416) 691-2030
email info@etvc.ca