Treatments for vascular disease can help people live longer, higher quality, lives. That’s why a new diamond-coated device to sand away plaque from the artery walls is such good news. While other devices are available to perform the procedure called orbital atherectomy, this improvement using diamonds can help to break up the plaque into microscopic particles while preventing damage to the fine tissue of the artery walls. This entire procedure can be done on an outpatient basis in less time than other conventional treatments too. It is hoped this new device will help reduce the number of amputations done for people with vascular disease.
When a blockage occurs in an artery it can lead to heart disease or high blood pressure. People with primary conditions like diabetes also encounter additional problems with vascular disease that can degrade their quality of life. Treating vascular disease can help to save a limb that might end up having to be amputated, otherwise. But, you don’t have to be diabetic to suffer from PAD (Peripheral Arterial Disease). It’s estimated that about 12 million people have this and it can lead to excruciating pain, the loss of the limb, or in some extreme cases, death.
You may not expect to hear about diamonds in the news for treating vascular disease, but diamonds are used in many areas in modern medicine that use lasers to treat specific conditions. As medical professionals become acquainted with new techniques to save life and limb, you can expect to hear more and more about diamonds in the medical news for years to come.
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November 8th, 2011 at 11:40 pm
How many people you know have PAD? If so, reach out to them.