Our goal in caring for peripheral vascular disease is to increase blood flow to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. No matter what stage of the disease you are in, our advanced screening capabilities and treatment options can help you feel better.

We incorporate various strategies tailored to your medical needs and situation. If you are experiencing advanced disease development, we offer both traditional and minimally invasive surgical procedures that will widen your arteries and enable blood flow to your limbs, reducing the chance of serious problems including heart attack, stroke and amputation.

Our treatment options include:

• Nonsurgical treatment such as lifestyle changes.
• Medications for improving blood flow, such as blood thinners and medications that relax the blood vessel walls.
• Minimally-invasive angioplasty for increased blood flow.
• Vascular surgery such as peripheral artery bypass surgery restores blood flow to an artery in the leg by creating a new path for the blood to move.
• Atherectomy using the Diamondback 360°™ tool, which uses a small diamond-coated crown that rapidly spins or orbits at high speeds to sand away plaque, while preserving the healthy tissue of the arterial wall.
• Thrombolytic therapy or a surgery called thrombectomy to remove a blood clot.

Doctors here are part of the Sutter Heart & Vascular Institute, which is on the forefront of new procedures and technologies, including stem cell therapy and devices that protect the legs during revascularization surgery. For five consecutive years we’ve been nationally recognized as one of the 50 Top Cardiovascular Hospitals by Truven Health Analytics.

Lifestyle Changes

You can reduce PVD, though not fix the damage already done, through strategic lifestyle changes. Sutter Health heart experts can connect you with information and services to help you quit smoking, develop a safe and manageable exercise routine and lose weight. Our Heart Smart class was designed specifically for those with high cholesterol or high triglycerides or who may be at risk for heart disease. We also offer instruction to help you manage prediabetes/diabetes and high blood pressure.

Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a minimally-invasive, outpatient procedure in which the doctor inserts a small catheter into an artery to increase blood flow.

Peripheral Artery Bypass Surgery

Peripheral artery bypass surgery restores blood flow to an artery in the leg by creating a new path for the blood to move. A blood vessel from another part of your body or a tube made of synthetic material is grafted on either side of the blockage to establish that pathway.

Atherectomy

This minimally invasive surgical procedure removes plaque in blocked arteries to the legs. The surgeon uses a special tool (Diamondback 360°™) with a diamond-coated crown, which spins rapidly to shave away plaque while preserving the healthy tissue of the arterial wall. 

Thrombolytic Therapy and Thrombectomy

In urgent situations, your doctor may recommend thrombolytic therapy or a surgery called thrombectomy to remove a blood clot (thrombus) from a vein or artery. This restores blood flow and helps prevent a heart attack or stroke. Thrombolytic therapy involves clot-dissolving drugs, whereas thrombectomy surgically removes the clot.