Clinical Trial Aims to Create New Blood Vessels
and Block Cholesterol Build-up
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) results from an inadequate
supply of blood and oxygen to muscles in the body, most
commonly caused by cholesterol build-up in the arteries.
Many people with PAD experience muscle pain in their
lower legs when walking, called claudication, the most
usual symptom of PAD, and are at high risk for heart
attack and stroke.
Penn Cardiac Care cardiologists are studying
the creation of new blood vessels blocked by cholesterol
in patients who are not otherwise candidates for
surgical bypass or catheterization procedures,
which reflect blockages." A current study
is evaluating whether growth of new blood vessels,
called angiogenesis, will be feasible in patients
with PAD," says Emile
R. Mohler III, MD, a vascular and peripheral
medicine specialist at Penn. "We are hoping
to provide a relatively noninvasive way to improve
the lifestyle of patients with vascular disease,
particularly because there are limited medications
available."
If you have stable or intermittent muscle pain
in the lower legs with no rest pain, call 1-800-789-PENN
to speak to a Penn Cardiac Care specialist.
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