More than 100 incidents have been reported so far. The FDA is still evaluating this issue, but the agency wanted to raise awareness as quickly as possible.

Many PAD patients do not even know they have the disease until it is too late, leading to unnecessary amputations and increasing the risk of other adverse patient outcomes. Awareness is especially limited among Black and Hispanic adults, experts warn, creating an added sense of urgency when looking to accelerate patient education efforts.

"This research should be a call to health systems, policymakers and other stakeholders to make it easier for patients—especially the most vulnerable patients—to access PAD-specific care," one cardiologist explained. 

After the significant success of Shockwave Medical's IVL therapy to break up heavily calcified vessels without trauma, there are now several companies working on their own IVL devices. 

SCAI President James Hermiller, MD, recently outlined the key achievements for 2024, including creation of the first interventional cardiology match program, successful advocacy and efforts to increase women in the field.