Good Samaritan Hospital Chosen to Investigate Novel Treatment Option for Peripheral Arterial Disease

New Device Under Study May Help Patients with Peripheral Arterial Disease

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles is participating in the Levant 2 clinical trial to investigate a potential new treatment option for people with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The clinical trial will help doctors determine whether a drug coated angioplasty balloon will be more successful in keeping narrowed arteries open for longer compared to treatment with a non-coated standard angioplasty balloon.

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An estimated 8 million Americans have peripheral artery disease including the 12 to 20 percent of individuals older than age 60 according to the Centers for Disease Control. PAD is a disease in which plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood to the head, organs, and limbs. Plaque is made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, fibrous tissue, and other substances in the blood. When plaque builds up in the body's arteries, the condition is called atherosclerosis. Over time, plaque can harden and narrow the arteries, which eventually limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the organs and other parts of body.

PAD usually affects the arteries in the legs, but it can also affect arteries that carry blood from the heart to the head, arms, kidneys, and stomach. Many people who have PAD do not have any signs or symptoms. Others may experience difficulty when walking or climbing stairs. Physical exertion can cause pain, numbness, aching, or heaviness in the leg muscles. Other symptoms may include cramping in the affected leg(s), in the buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet.

Other clinical signs of PAD include:

• Weak or absent pulses in the legs or feet
• Sores or wounds on the toes, feet, or legs that heal slowly, poorly, or not at all
• A pale or bluish color to the skin
• Gangrene of the toes or feet
• A lower temperature in one leg compared to the other leg
• Poor nail growth on the toes and decreased hair growth on the legs
• Erectile dysfunction, especially among men who have diabetes

Treatment for PAD focuses on reducing symptoms, preventing further progression of the disease and in most cases, lifestyle changes, exercise and claudication medications that can help slow the progression or even reverse the symptoms of PAD.

"Restenosis or renarrowing of arteries in the legs has been the 'Achilles Heel' of peripheral vascular interventions despite recent technological advances in angioplasty balloons, vascular stents and atherectomy devices," according to Guy Mayeda, MD, an interventional cardiologist at Good Samaritan Hospital. "If the paclitaxal-coated balloon under investigation in the Levant 2 trial demonstrates an ability to significantly reduce arterial renarrowing, it could establish a very significant change in the treatment of peripheral artery disease for potentially millions of patients."

The Levant 2 trial involves utilization of a new drug coated balloon in the treatment of narrowed arteries in the legs. Patients considered for enrollment in the clinical trial are screened using an ultrasound test to assess the degree of narrowing and blood flow to the legs.  For more information on this clinical trial at Good Samaritan Hospital please call (213) 977-2254 or visit the sponsor website at www.Levant2.com.

First opened in 1885, Good Samaritan Hospital is a 408-bed tertiary care facility offering some of the most comprehensive care in Los Angeles.  Specializing in cardiac services, women's services, orthopedics, oncology, and ophthalmology, Good Samaritan Hospital offers Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery, Neurosciences program featuring the Gamma Knife radiosurgery, Ophthalmologic Program including Retinal Surgery, Orthopedic Surgical Program including Sports Medicine, Oncology Program using the latest in radiation therapy, Kidney Stone services,  Transfusion-Free Medicine and Surgery Center, and Emergency Services.  For more information visit www.goodsam.org. 

SOURCE Good Samaritan Hospital, Los Angeles