The new device allows doctors to clearly see the blood clot inside the artery for the first time.

Removing plaque from obstructed arteries is a common measure that can save and improve life. This treatment has recently become safer and more effective thanks to a new high-tech arterial catheter that allows cardiologists to see the inside of the artery for the first time, removing only the diseased tissue. The international cardiovascular specialist at the University of California, San Diego's Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center is the first to apply this technology in the field.

The new image-guided device, Avinger's Pantheris Lumivascular plaque resection system, allows doctors to quickly see and remove plaques during plaque resection, a minimally invasive procedure involving the removal of arterial plaques to restore blood flow.

This new technology is mainly used to treat patients suffering from painful symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, mainly caused by the accumulation of plaque in blood vessels, which block the blood flow in the leg and foot arteries, thus preventing Oxygen-rich blood reaches the limbs. Patients with peripheral arterial disease often have some life-threatening symptoms, including cardiac arrest, stroke, and in some serious cases, the patient may even face an amputation.

"External arterial disease greatly affects quality of life because of convulsions, numbness, and pale, colorless skin," said Dr. Mitul Patel, an expert at the Heart Center. “This new device is a more important step towards removing plaque by a more effective method and reducing the exposure of doctors to patients.”

X-ray techniques are often used before in similar operations, but those images are not clear and the inside of the blood vessels is not visible. The new catheter, with a light camera, is the size of a salt that is placed through a small incision in the groin and does not require anesthesia. Once placed, the cardiologist can accurately see the plaques that need to be removed without damaging the arterial wall. These plaques can cause further stenosis if not removed.

Peripheral arterial disease affects nearly 20 million adults in the United States and more than 200 million adults worldwide. September is the Peripheral Artery Disease Awareness Month, which is of particular personal significance to a patient at Patel who recently received a plaque resection with a new catheter at the Cardiovascular Center.

Patel said that the patient's right leg was previously treated with severe scar tissue and plaque buildup, limiting blood flow to the calf muscles and limiting his athletic ability, even if he could only walk a short distance.

"He is a good subject for this new catheter approach. The device allows us to see clearly what is inside the leg artery so that we can only remove the diseased tissue," Patel said.

Nowadays, the patient can walk with his wife for a few kilometers, and the quality of life has greatly improved. By changing some lifestyles, he hopes to solve his peripheral arterial disease and prevent other obstructive diseases.

The technology was approved by the FDA in March 2016. Currently, experts at the University of California, San Diego's Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center have used this new catheter to treat 10 patients with success.