Pioneering Non-Invasive Vascular Technologies Since 1984
Header:

Dr. Paul van Bemmelen talks about treating PAD without surgery on eHealth Radio

Just in time for PAD Awareness Month is an interview by the very kindly Eric Michaels on the eHealth Radio podcast, “ArtAssist Paul van Bemmelen, MDtreatment helps poor circulation with Dr. Paul van Bemmelen“.

For being only 7 minutes long, this interview covers a lot of ground with the ArtAssist® device in a way that only Dr. van Bemmelen, as a key developer, can articulate. Listeners from all walks of life can learn a little bit from him as he exposes the harsh (yet unfortunately common) realities that patients with non-surgical PAD endure and more importantly, what your doctor can do to help you.

Excerpt:

Now, you have developed a device with ACI Medical to assist the arteries with the circulation called the ArtAssist®. What is it and how does that work?

Humans are unique because we are upright, and as long as we keep moving, our leg muscles are squeezing the blood back toThe ArtAssist Arterial Pump Device the heart and assist in the circulation work. But modern humans are typically not active enough. The ArtAssist® is essentially a strong massage device that people can use at home. It obtains the good effects of walking – that is, increased blood flow – without the bad effects of walking, such as the need for more oxygen in the leg muscles with more pain. Also, real walking can worsen the friction between the skin and the shoes, which causes problems in diabetes.

So go ahead and tune in! You definitely won’t be sorry you did.

Visit the eHealth Radio website to gain access to this interview and many more health-related topics, or click here to open the media player.

Also be sure to check out Dr. van Bemmelen’s most recent article for faim.org, “Walking therapy and pneumatic compression:  the natural cures for poor leg circulation”
Thanks! I hope you enjoy listening!
Share Button

Why ArtAssist® arterial pump therapy is unique

When you think of therapeutic pneumatic compression pumps, what comes to mind? Many might think of lymphedema or DVT prophylaxes, but it is less widely-known that arterial pump compression therapy, if correctly applied, can actually treat severe PAD.

ArtAssist Arterial Assist Device

ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device®

ArtAssist®…The Arterial Assist Device® (Arterial Pump Technology) should not be confused with lymphedema or DVT prevention treatment because the ArtAssist® device solves an entirely different problem:  facilitating arterial blood flow to the places that need it, especially in the legs and feet (there are also cuffs available for arms, though it is somewhat less common).

So, for example, if you have atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) of the lower extremity or a diabetic foot ulcer, your problems would not be solved with a lymphedema pump, even if it has been modified to be more powerful. (Side note:  some arterial pump makers advertise that a more powerful lymphedema or DVT pump will effectively treat arterial disease. We at ACI Medical suggest that you ask for their clinical evidence.)

Depending on the nature and severity of your arterial disease, you may be better advised to use the ArtAssist® device. This device was not based on a lymphedema or DVT pump design – rather, the ArtAssist® device was designed by vascular surgeons with the goal of increasing arterial flow for patients with poor leg circulation.

Researchers have discovered that, unlike lymphedema pump technology, the ArtAssist® device promotes what we call arteriogenesis, or collateralization These two synonyms refer to the opening of small collateral arteries that already naturally bypass the obstructed artery. We all have these small collateral arteries, but when the main artery has no blockages, the collateral ones aren’t needed.

angiogram van bemmelen artassist arterial pump technology

Arteriogenesis (or collateralization) explains why patients have long-term results after stopping ArtAssist® device usage

In this case, a person with a blocked artery needs to take action so that blood gets where it needs to be. Sometimes, people make lifestyle changes, such as dieting and exercising. Other times, people take medication to improve blood flow. And in more severe cases, people resort to surgery such as bypass and endovascular procedures (e.g. stenting, angioplasty, etc.).

The problem is that some people exhaust all of those options and vascular surgeons believe they have no other choice but to amputate – but that’s not true! There is actually one last shot at limb salvage for these patients, and that is the ArtAssist® device. In one clinical study, it was shown to have up to a 94% limb salvage rate even after 3.5 years.

Do be advised, though:  no one would ever recommend that you let it get to the point of amputation. As with all diseases, the earlier you solve the problem, the better.

If you or someone you know could use the ArtAssist® device as a non-surgical solution for PAD, please call our toll free number 888-453-4356 and ask to talk to Don or Sylvia. If you contact me (via WordPress, Twitter, Facebook, email, website, etc.), I will refer you to either of the two people I just mentioned as quickly as I can – we know how important limb salvage is.

Share Button
Footer: