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St. Luke’s University Health Network Pioneers New Amputation Prevention Treatment

In a significant medical milestone, St. Luke's University Health Network in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, has introduced an advanced and minimally invasive procedure designed to save patients from lower-extremity amputations. This innovative treatment targets individuals suffering from chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), a condition characterized by severely reduced blood flow due to blocked arteries, commonly affecting those with diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or long histories of smoking.

A Groundbreaking Approach to a Common Problem

The innovative procedure revolves around the use of the LimFlow system. This technology allows doctors to reroute blood flow around blockages, facilitating healing and preventing amputations in patients who are deemed 'no-option' due to all other treatments being exhausted. St. Luke’s vascular surgeon, Dr. Jared Feyko, is the first physician in the region to utilize this system effectively, having already treated multiple patients with it.

In a recent procedure performed in the hybrid operating room at St. Luke's Bethlehem Campus, Dr. Feyko faced a challenging situation: a patient whose arterial blood supply to the lower leg was entirely blocked. Utilizing the LimFlow system, he successfully adapted a nearby vein to function as an artery, thus restoring vital blood flow to the patient’s foot. Previous methods had failed to address the blockage adequately, making this procedure a last-resort option.

How the LimFlow System Works

The LimFlow treatment involves inserting specialized balloon catheters and covered stents into the veins. Using advanced ultrasound imaging for guidance, physicians can navigate the delicate procedure with precision. By creating a new blood supply path from the artery into the adjacent tibial vein, they can effectively counteract the effects of chronic ischemia.

Dr. Feyko elaborated on the procedure’s impact: “In patients with CLTI, whose diseased or damaged artery cannot serve as the blood supply to the lower limb, LimFlow technology allows us to convert a vein into an adequate artery.” This groundbreaking approach not only alleviates pain but also enhances the healing process for chronic wounds and significantly decreases the likelihood of amputation.

Positive Outcomes for Patients

The results from this treatment have been encouraging. One patient, who underwent the LimFlow procedure, reported a substantial reduction in pain and saw the healing of previously infected wounds. Most crucially, this patient avoided a potentially life-altering amputation, reclaiming mobility and improving their quality of life.

Dr. Feyko expressed optimism about the future of the LimFlow treatment. He projects that dozens of patients each year at St. Luke’s will benefit from this innovative solution, further cementing the hospital's reputation as a leader in advanced medical care.

St. Luke's Commitment to Excellence

Founded in 1872, St. Luke's University Health Network has grown into a comprehensive health system with over 19,000 employees across 15 campuses and more than 350 outpatient sites. With an annual revenue exceeding $4 billion, the network operates in 11 counties across Pennsylvania and New Jersey, working tirelessly to improve patient care and advance medical education. The introduction of the LimFlow system underscores St. Luke’s dedication to providing the highest standard of care and leading the way in minimally invasive treatment techniques.