Research Indicates Need for New Treatments for Below-the-Ankle Disease

Research published by THE SAGE GROUP shows that below-the-ankle disease remains “misunderstood” and needs newer, more effective treatments.
 
BTA disease is characterized by atherosclerotic stenoses and/or occlusions in one or more foot arteries. The pedal artery, plantar arteries (common, medial and lateral) and the plantar arch are among the foot arteries affected.
 
“Although BTA disease is highly prevalent and associated with poor patient outcomes, it remains misunderstood and undertreated,” SAGE GROUP President Mary L. Yost stated. “Revascularization of the pedal arteries is technically challenging due to small-diameter vessels, vessel tortuosity, medial artery calcification (MAC), thrombus and frequent variants in the pedal circulation. These vessels are also prone to spasm and dissection. The lack of dedicated tools for this vascular territory adds to the problem. Furthermore, there are no guideline recommendations regarding endovascular revascularization of BTA disease. Experts disagree on when to intervene and the extent of reconstruction needed. Furthermore, many interventionalists lack the special skills required to treat pedal disease.”
 
“Plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) remains the standard of care. New more-effective endovascular devices are needed to treat BTA disease,” Yost declared.
 
CLI is a multilevel, multivessel disease characterized by occlusions and extensive involvement of infrapopliteal and pedal arteries. Patients with BTA disease are more likely to have below-the-knee disease in the tibial, peroneal and posterior tibial arteries rather than in the femoral or iliac arteries. Isolated BTA disease appears to be rare.
 
THE SAGE GROUP is a research and consulting company specializing in arterial and venous disease in the lower limbs.