New Studies Show Amputations Prevented with Home Use Device Developed by ACI Medical, LLC.

SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- The ArtAssist[R] arterial assist device was the subject of three recent medical school studies that demonstrated excellent amputation prevention rates and a possible mechanism for why it works so well.

Patients use this noninvasive, pain-free device at home. Cuffs are applied to the foot, ankle and calf of the affected limbs. A control unit generates timed pressure pulses to the cuffs that greatly increase arterial blood flow in patients with obstructed leg arteries; a condition called peripheral arterial occlusive disease.

Earlier studies were performed on patients with a mild form of the disease called intermittent claudication. Here, the patient experiences pain while walking that is relieved with rest. The device increased pain-free walking distances by 2 to 3 times and the benefit was sustained for at least one year.

The more advanced form of the disease is called critical limb ischemia where the limb may be threatened with amputation due to nonhealing ulcers or rest pain. Two limb salvage trials for this disease state were conducted at the University of Manitoba by vascular surgeon and department head Dr. George Louridas and at the University College Hospital led by Dr. O. Esan of the Western Vascular Institute, Galway, Ireland. Both studies had remarkably similar limb salvage rates (86% and 88%, respectively) while those patients that did not receive this therapy had only about a 30% limb salvage rate. Many of the studied patients were diabetics.

A third study performed at Temple University Medical School in Philadelphia by Dr. Paul van Bemmelen showed that the device likely provides its long-lasting effects by stimulating the formation of collateral arteries that serve as a natural bypass around the occluded artery segments.

The ArtAssist device was developed at ACI Medical in San Marcos, CA in cooperation with vascular surgeons in the U.S., Canada and Europe. These surgeons were frustrated that so many amputations were occurring in patients unable to undergo surgical correction or where the surgery had failed. The device is provided mostly on a rental basis since its effects are maximized after several months of daily use. A doctor's prescription is required. Additional detailed information is found at www.artassist.com or by calling the company at 888 4 LEG FLO (888.453.4356).