Background

If you are familiar with the nature of endovascular procedures, you’ll know that eventually, all stents fail. At this point, many vascular surgeons choose to redo the stent, but what if there was a long-term solution?

Andrew N. Nicolaides, Professor Emeritus of the Imperial College of London is among  a group of researchers who have done the most studies with grafted arteriopaths using ArtAssist®…the Arterial Assist Device®, to improve blood flow to the lower extremities. This group discovered that using the ArtAssist® device on patients who had already undergone a successful endovascular procedure enhanced arterial circulation.

New Hypothesis

After having confirmed this discovery, Professor Nicolaides and his team in London are thinking about the next step:  after the arterial stent inevitably fails, the patient now has an alternative to getting another stent. If a patient uses the ArtAssist® device while his stent is still in place, Professor Nicolaides hypothesizes, by the time the stent fails, his artery will be capable of accommodating the same beneficial amount of blood as before, and he will not need to go in for another procedure.

Interview

Now that you have a bit of a background, I’ll let Professor Nicolaides explain it in his own words.

UPDATE

July 13, 2012:  A veteran researcher of the ArtAssist® device has recently agreed to test Prof. Nicolaides’ hypothesis. Stay tuned for more information!

References

Effects of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of the Calf and Thigh on Arterial Calf Inflow: A Study of Normals, Claudicants, and Grafted Arteriopaths
Delis, K.T.; Husmann, J.W.; Cheshire, N.J.; and Nicolaides, A.N. Imperial College School of Medicine, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, UK. 
Surgery, 2000, Vol. 129, No. 2, p. 188-195

Enhancing Foot Skin Blood Flux in Peripheral Vascular Disease Using Intermittent Pneumatic Compression: A Controlled Study on Claudicants and Grafted Arteriopaths. Delis, K.T.; Husmann, M.J.W.; Nicolaides, A.N.; Wolfe. J.H., and Cheshire, N.J., Imperial College School Of Medicine, St. Mary’s Hospital, London, UK. World Journal Surgery, 2002 Jul;26(7):861-6

Haemodynamic Effect of Intermittent Pneumatic Compression of the Leg After Infainguinal Arterial Bypass Grafting 
Delis, K.; Husmann, M.;  Szendro, G.; Peter, N.; Wolfe, J.H.; Mansfield, A.O.  Regional Vascular Center, Surgery and Department of Academic Cardiology, St. Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College School of Medicine, London, UK.
Br J Surg 2004;91:429-34