Intermittent claudication

Posted By  CCF Cardio MD-APS on October 13, 1997 at 17:23:44:

In Reply to: Re: Intermittent claudication  posted by Jo Ann Christina on October 10, 1997 at 15:19:07:

: I've done some more research and it looks as though balloon angioplasty is actually
  considered to be a non-surgical technique -- I didn't realize that.  If that's correct,
  sorry about my long previously posted "intermittent claudication" message, and unless
  you've got some miracle to suggest, you can ignore my posting.  Thanks for being there!

[CCF CARDIO MD APS]

_
Dear Jo Ann,
  No need to apologize, as a matter of fact your reply to my answer really clarified your initial question.
Non-surgical treatments of clogged arteries of the legs include balloon angioplasty with or without stenting(a little
wire cage sized to the artery, placed with a balloon((usually only in the larger arteries)) in an attempt to keep the
from recoiling after the balloon procedure) and this desicion is made by the vascular doctor during the procedure.
  There are a couple of centers in the country performing something an experimental treatment that involves trying to
grow new vessels in the leg, currently I am not sure of the particular centers nor of the inclusion and exlusion criteria
that would determine if your loved one is a candidate to enter the study.  If you know of a vascular doctor in your area however
he may know of the closest center where the experimental study is performed.
  I hope that I have been of some help, and if you do not already know the balloon procedure can provide significant pain relief
from claudication symptoms.
  Information provided in the Heart Forum is intended for general medical informational purposes only.  Actual diagnosis and
treatment of disease can only be made by your physician.