Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects over 12 million people in the United States. Up to 20% of patients over 60 have some degree of disease, and as our population ages, there will be an increasing incidence of disease. Risk factors for developing PAD include smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol.

Patients are often referred to vascular surgeons for diagnosis and treatment. Angiography may be offered by your vascular surgeon as a tool to both diagnose and potentially treat blood vessel narrowing and blockage.
Unfortunately, high blood pressure and diabetes are also risk factors for kidney dysfunction which can affect up to 1/3 of PAD patients. Traditional angiography uses contrast agent to visualize the vessel which can cause a condition known as contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). This may lead to renal failure and potentially dialysis.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is a gas that is naturally produced by the body. It is also able to be compressed and used as a contrast agent to visualized blood vessels. This eliminates the risk of renal toxicity and provides options for patients who may be allergic to contrast dye. Our vascular surgeons are skilled in this alternative treatment and can treat patients who may be otherwise unable to treated with traditional angiography.