Peripheral Artery Disease

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) involves atherosclerosis mainly in the extremities, especially in the legs and feet that lead to ischemia. Untreated, PAD can progress to critical limb ischemia (CLI), also called chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), which will lead to foot or leg amputation. The mortality rate for these CLI amputees is 70% within three years. There is currently an epidemic of PAD and CLI in the U.S. The majority of patients are defined by health disparities concentrated in the Black, Latino, Native American populations in both rural and low-income urban areas. A large number of PAD patients have other comorbities, with diabetes being one a primary issue.

Late-breaking cardiovascular drug trials took center stage at ACC.25
Richard Kovacs, MD, detailed some the most important late-breaking cardiology pharmacology trials presented at ACC.25.
‘A practice-changing trial’: Semaglutide linked to key benefits for PAD patients with diabetes
Patients who present with type 2 diabetes and PAD often face substantial mobility issues. According to new data presented at ACC.25, however, treatment with semaglutide could represent a major step forward for this high-risk population.
Safety update: FDA announces Class I recall due to atherectomy devices breaking during use
The FDA shared a warning about these safety issues in February, but said it was still reviewing the evidence. The agency is now saying the devices “may cause serious injury or death” if used without following the updated instructions for use.
Advances in bioresorbable stents show promise for treating PAD
Bioresorbable stents are back in the spotlight thanks to some significant progress from multiple medtech companies. Eric Secemsky, MD, discussed some of the biggest breakthroughs in this space at CRT 2025.
FDA clears first generic versions of rivaroxaban—what it means for patient care
Dave Dixon, PharmD, explored the short- and long-term impact of these approvals, noting that they could help reduce costs down the line.

Richard Kovacs, MD, MACC, chief medical officer, American College of Cardiology (ACC), former ACC president, and professor of clinical medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, explains the most important late-breaking cardiology pharmacology trials at the ACC 2025 meeting. #ACC25 #ACC2025

Late-breaking cardiovascular drug trials took center stage at ACC.25

Richard Kovacs, MD, detailed some the most important late-breaking cardiology pharmacology trials presented at ACC.25.

‘A practice-changing trial’: Semaglutide linked to key benefits for PAD patients with diabetes

Patients who present with type 2 diabetes and PAD often face substantial mobility issues. According to new data presented at ACC.25, however, treatment with semaglutide could represent a major step forward for this high-risk population.

Bard Peripheral Vascular Rotarex Atherectomy System recall

Safety update: FDA announces Class I recall due to atherectomy devices breaking during use

The FDA shared a warning about these safety issues in February, but said it was still reviewing the evidence. The agency is now saying the devices “may cause serious injury or death” if used without following the updated instructions for use.

Eric Secemsky, MD, MSc, RPVI, FACC, FAHA, FSCAI, FSVM, director of vascular intervention, Beth Israel Deaconess, section head, interventional cardiology and vascular research, Susan F. Smith Center for Outcomes Research, and associate professor of medicine, Harvard Medical School, explained some of the new bioresorbable stent scaffold technology that is being developed for use in PAD below the knee at CRT 2025.

Advances in bioresorbable stents show promise for treating PAD

Bioresorbable stents are back in the spotlight thanks to some significant progress from multiple medtech companies. Eric Secemsky, MD, discussed some of the biggest breakthroughs in this space at CRT 2025.

Video of Dave Dixon explaining the impact of first FDA approval of a generic DOAC.

FDA clears first generic versions of rivaroxaban—what it means for patient care

Dave Dixon, PharmD, explored the short- and long-term impact of these approvals, noting that they could help reduce costs down the line.

Food insecurity increases risk of poor heart health in young adults

Food insecurity—lacking consistent access to the food needed to live an “active, healthy lifestyle”—impacts up to one in eight Americans each year.

SCAI President James Hermiller, MD, discusses the need for more better radiation protection in the cath lab#SCAI #CathLab, #RadiationExposure #cardiology

SCAI leaders 'on a mission' to improve cath lab protection from radiation, orthopedic injury

SCAI President James Hermiller, Jr., MD, explains the need for more innovative radiation protection systems in the cath lab.

Shockwave Medical Javelin Peripheral IVL Catheter

Shockwave Medical launches new IVL catheter for targeting challenging lesions in PAD patients

The new-look Javelin Peripheral IVL Catheter was designed to travel through extremely narrowed blood vessels and target plaques with up to 120 pulses.

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