Claudication
Aorto-iliac Disease

This elderly man presented to his primary care physician's office with intermittent claudication that was limiting his participation in phase 3 cardiac rehab. While both legs bothered him, the symptoms were much worse in the left leg. Non-invasive Ankle-Brachial Index testing was markedly abnormal with indices of 0.4 on the left and 0.6 on the right. Because of coexisting heart disease (he had undergone coronary bypass surgery 6 months earlier), conservative measures were recommended (medications and exercise).

He was unable to walk more than 2 blocks on even ground without developing severe burning and aching in his thigh muscles causing him to stop and rest.

He mentioned his leg symptoms to his cardiologist, Dr. Carell . Dr. Carell performed peripheral vascular angiography showing severe vascular disease involving the bifurcation of the distal Aorta and the Iliac vessels. In a non-surgical procedure, Dr. Carell performed revascularization using Stents in the iliac arteries to recreate the aorto-iliac bifurcation. The procedure was successfully completed in about an hour and the patient was discharged home the following morning. Now, 1 year later, he is walking up to a half-mile a day without leg pain and is able to participate in cardiac rehab without limitations.