CIS and Terrebonne General are First in Louisiana to Use the Spur® Peripheral Retrievable Stent System to Treat Artery Disease Below the Knee

HOUMA, LA – Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) and Terrebonne General Health System (Terrebonne General) are the first in Louisiana to use the Spur® Peripheral Retrievable Stent System to treat chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLI) in the lower legs. CIS interventional cardiologist Dr. Pradeep Nair performed this procedure on June 5 at Terrebonne General Health System.

Developed by Reflow Medical, the Spur® Peripheral Retrievable Stent System is the first and only retrievable stent designed to restore blood flow in narrowed below-the-knee arteries following balloon angioplasty. Featuring a self-expanding stent with integrated balloon dilation technology, the Spur System temporarily supports the artery, widens blockages, and improves circulation—all without leaving a permanent implant behind. This innovative, minimally invasive solution represents a significant advancement in the treatment of peripheral artery disease, particularly for patients with complex or calcified lesions in the lower leg, and provides physicians with a flexible, precise tool for achieving optimal outcomes.

“Treating below-the-knee (BTK) arterial disease in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) is plagued by early vessel recoil and re-occlusion after standard balloon angioplasty,” said Dr. Nair. “We try to combat this with treatments like atherectomy and stents. Yet, it can be impractical to treat long-segment and multi-vessel BTK disease—often the norm in CLI—with multiple stents. The Spur stent system allows us to modify plaques and combat vessel recoil by utilizing a retrievable stent that can be used both in longer lesions and multiple vessels if required. What this means for the patient is that we are essentially getting a stent-like result without the need to leave any metal behind. In my opinion, this is a big win in our fight against CLI.”

Chronic limb-threatening ischemia is a late stage of peripheral artery disease, which affects blood flow to the legs and feet. Symptoms may include painful cramping during exercise, sores that won’t heal, numbness, coldness, discoloration, or a weak pulse in the foot or leg. Those experiencing symptoms should consult with their cardiologist for evaluation and treatment options.

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