October 23, 2023
HOUMA, LA – Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is the first in the country to use the FreedomFlow® Orbital Atherectomy Platform to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the legs. Drs. Pradeep Nair, McCall Walker, and Craig Walker used the new technology on October 19 at Terrebonne General Health. This system by Cardio Flow, Inc. was FDA-cleared in late September.
The FreedomFlow platform is designed with a modern mechanism to clear plaque blockages in the arteries of the legs. This proprietary, catheter-based design leverages the physics of angular momentum, creating a spiral geometry that puts five diamond-coated spheres in simultaneous contact with the vessel wall, whether advancing or retracting. A diamond-coated tip also helps ease the driveshaft through tight blockages.
Image courtesy of CardioFlow, Inc.
This unique approach gives physicians a highly efficient, effective, and flexible way to treat complex PAD in a wide range of vessel diameters—from 2 mm in the ankle to 8 mm in the hip—and greater versatility in treating multiple arteries and multiple blockages in the same vessel, all with a single device. The simplicity of the FreedomFlow platform also offers quick and simple device setup, no capital equipment, no lubricant, and reduced inventory needs. It also provides faster run times, consistent treatment outcomes, and a nearly flat learning curve for physicians, making it an ideal choice for today’s hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and office-based labs.
“Peripheral arterial blockages are extremely common, especially in our patients with heart disease,” explained Dr. Pradeep Nair, interventional cardiologist. “This new technology allows us to more effectively treat a wide range of blockages from the ankle to the hip to save limbs, and ultimately our patients’ lives and the quality of those lives.”
“Terrebonne General is honored to be the first Health System to perform this groundbreaking procedure thanks to our amazing physicians and staff who continue to trail blaze the most leading edge treatments that improve the lives of our patients,” said Phyllis Peoples, Terrebonne General President and CEO.
Peripheral vascular disease, including artery and vein disease, affects more than 50 million people in the United States. Arterial disease specifically prevents blood flow to the legs and feet, causing significant pain and limited mobility, and in severe cases, leads to the need for surgery or amputation. Symptoms of PAD in the legs include: pain or cramping after activity, numbness, coldness, sores or ulcers that won’t heal, discoloration, hair loss, shiny skin or a weak pulse.
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