Promising Treatments Enhancing Peripheral Artery Disease Care

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Advancements in PAD treatments
• Abbott’s new PAD therapy
• Major acquisitions by industry leaders

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. In PAD, the legs or arms, usually the legs, don't receive enough blood flow to keep up with demand. This leads to leg pain while walking which is medically called “claudication”. The disease is usually a sign of a buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis causes narrowing of the arteries that can reduce blood flow in the legs and, sometimes, the arms. In some cases, it is also caused by blood vessel inflammation, injury to the limbs, unusual anatomy of the ligaments or muscles, or radiation exposure.

Latest peripheral artery disease treatments

Over the past few years, PAD has seen advancements in treatments that aim to improve symptoms and prevent disease progression. Angioplasty and stent placement have emerged as minimally invasive procedures to treat this kind of heart disorder. These procedures involve a balloon catheter used to open narrowed arteries, and a stent is placed to keep the artery open. Advances in stent technology, including drug-eluting stents and bioresorbable stents, offer improved outcomes.

On the other hand, atherectomy involves removing plaque from the artery walls using a catheter with a rotating blade or laser. With technological advancements, new atherectomy devices offer better precision and safety. Moreover, the rise of stem cell therapy, gene therapy, and dissolvable stents have shown promising results, offering potential alternatives to traditional procedures. The research and development of such cutting-edge treatment alternatives are expected to drive the growth of the peripheral artery disease industry in the forthcoming years.

Abbott’s innovative therapy for peripheral artery disease

In April 2024, Abbott, an American multinational medical devices and health care company received an approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its newly launched device - Esprit BTK Everolimus Eluting Resorbable Scaffold System (Esprit BTK System) to treat blocked arteries below the knee (BTK) in patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD). The Esprit BTK System is a dissolvable stent comprised of material consistent with dissolving suture, providing patients with opened arteries. In a recent press release, Abbott stated that until today, there were no stents or drug-coated balloons approved for use below the knee in the US.

The clinical evidence supporting the Esprit BTK System came from the pivotal LIFE-BTK trial, presented in a late-breaking session at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) Conference in San Francisco, October 2023. The data, published in New England Journal of Medicine, showed that 135 patients treated with the dissolvable scaffold therapy avoided amputation above the ankle of the target limb. In the LIFE-BTK trial, researchers found that the dissolvable stent treatment was just as safe as angioplasty. About 97% of patients who received the dissolvable stent avoided major limb problems after six months, compared to 100% of patients who underwent angioplasty.

Innovative moves by MedTech giants transforming cardiovascular care

In April 2024, Johnson & Johnson, an American multinational pharmaceutical, biotechnology, and medical technologies corporation announced its acquisition of Shockwave Medical Inc., a renowned cardiovascular medical device company to treat heart disease significantly. This acquisition strengthened Johnson & Johnson’s position in cardiovascular intervention and helped it shift into higher-growth markets. Cardiovascular intervention is one of the fastest-growing global MedTech markets with significant unmet patient need. It includes IVL, which is a catheter-based treatment for calcified arterial lesions, an effective option for reducing blood flow and causing pain or heart attack. By promoting such treatment options, J&J aimed to offer minimally invasive alternatives to healthcare professionals to treat critical heart-related diseases.

Similarly, in June 2024, Boston Scientific, the global provider of innovative medical solutions that improve the health of patients acquired Silk Road Medical, a well-established medical device company located in Sunnyvale, California. Through this agreement, the companies aimed to develop products to prevent stroke in patients with carotid artery disease. They envisioned to use latest technology called transcarotid artery revascularization (TCAR), a minimally invasive procedure to treat such patients. TCAR involves accessing the carotid artery through a small incision on the neck and temporarily reversing blood flow away from the brain. This prevents plaque from dislodging and causing a stroke. Patients then have a stent placed at the blockage site for long-term plaque stabilization and future stroke prevention.

Wrapping up, peripheral artery disease is a serious condition that significantly impacts quality of life and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, with proper diagnosis, lifestyle changes, medications, and sometimes surgical interventions, PAD can be managed effectively. Continuous technological advancements are expected to bring forth innovative treatment solutions for PAD in the years to come.

To identify and capitalize on new market opportunities in the peripheral artery disease industry, feel free to talk to our esteemed analysts today! They will also help you understand the market’s impact on your business.

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