Peripheral Artery Disease

The facts on peripheral artery disease (PAD) show it affects 8-12 million Americans. About 75% of the people who suffer from peripheral artery disease, symptions are not obvious and they even don’t realize they have it. These people with PAD are 6 times more likely to suffer a stroke or a heart attack. PAD is also known as peripheral arterial disease or peripheral artery occlusive disease. This condition may (if left untreated) lead to gangrene, the consequence of which is usually surgery for peripheral artery disease, resulting in amputation.

What is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD)?

Peripheral artery disease is a condition that affects the arteries outside of the brain and heart.  Similar to coronary artery disease (CAD) which refers to the narrowing and hardening of the coronary arteries, peripheral artery disease is the narrowing and hardening of the arteries in the legs and the pelvis.  When a blockage occurs in the peripheral arteries, it deprives the legs of blood circulation.  If the blockage persists in these arteries, the lack of circulating blood could cause pain, make it difficult to walk, or create sores and ulcers.  If there is no circulation in the legs and feet, it may cause gangrene or loss of a leg. 

Case Study on Peripheral Artery Disease & Stem Cell Therapy

Our first clinical trial patient was treated on April 12, 2006. Below is a description of that patient’s condition before treatment, and 3 months after treatment.

	Figure 1 Before Treatment	Figure 2 17days post-treatment	Figure 3 33 days post-treatment	Figure 4 3 months post-treatment

Before Stem Cell Therapy

• Severe Lower-limb Ischemia, on maximal medication
• Non-healing ulcer on left big toe for 3-months. Size: 1 x 1.5 cm (Figure 1)
• Severe Arterial Stenosis throughout left leg, knee, foot and toe.
• Underlying Diseases
  • Hypertension
  • Diabetes
  • Coronary Artery Disease
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Graft – 5 years prior (EF 20% by SPECT)

After Stem Cell Therapy

• Reduced ulcer size
  • 0.5 x 1.3 cm – 1 month post-treatment (Figure 3)
  • 0.3 x 0.3 cm – 3 month post-treatment (Figure 4)
  • Completed healing ulcer - 4 month post-treatment (Figure 5)
    
    
• Improved Circulation
  • Ulcer color changed from pale to pink
  • Foot temperature increase
    
    
• CT-angiography revealed significant increase in vascularity of the left artery below the knee

Peripheral Artery Disease Symptoms

Peripheral artery disease symptoms - the most common symptom of PAD is intermittent claudication which is a pain or cramp in the legs or arms that occurs when doing an activity (usually walking).  When muscles are in use, these muscles require more blood.  If there is a blockage, the muscles won’t get enough blood during an activity to meet their needs.  That is the source of the pain or cramp.  This pain or cramp usually will disappear after a cessation of the activity or walking.

Other symptoms may include:

• Numbness in the legs
• Pain at rest or when lying down
• Cold legs and feet
• Ulcers or sores on your legs, feet or toes that won’t go away
• Gangrene
• A lack of color in the legs
• Loss of hair on legs and feet

Peripheral Artery Disease Treatment

Treatment for peripheral artery disease usually includes a proper regimen of medication, exercise, and diet.  However, Theravitae has developed a revolutionary adult stem cell therapy called Vescell that may be an alternative for severe peripheral artery disease patients. Please click here for more details.