About Peripheral Vascular Disease

With aging and the results of smoking, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, peripheral arteries can slowly become narrowed and blocked. Less blood flow to the legs results in chronic pain, also known as claudication. Left untreated, claudication can result in skin ulcers, non-healing wounds and amputation of the affected limb.

In the United States alone, peripheral arterial disease affects one in four people over the age of 70, and over 8 million Americans in total. Although peripheral arterial disease is often ignored, patients with severe peripheral arterial disease have a six times higher risk of suffering a heart attack than normal, and a lower five year survival rate than patients with some forms of cancer like colon cancer or lymphoma. In all, the mortality rate for peripheral arterial disease from all causes is 28% at 5 years and 50% at 10 years. (Source: Vascular Disease Foundation, 2001)

New treatments for peripheral vascular disease are continually being tested and introduced, both in the U.S. and internationally. In international markets, Vascular Solutions sells the Acolysis ultrasound thrombolysis system principally for the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.