PAD Senior Woman Leg Pain

What is Atherectomy?

Atherectomy is a minimally invasive-image guided procedure used to remove plaque from an artery (blood vessel) and open narrow or blocked arteries. Removing plaque buildup makes the artery wider, allowing blood to flow more freely to the heart muscles. During an atherectomy, the plaque is removed or modified with tiny rotating blades or a laser on the end of a catheter through a minimally invasive incision. As a result, the procedure helps restore healthy blood flow and relieves the symptoms of peripheral artery disease. An atherectomy procedure also is typically for people who have already had an angioplasty or recently had a stent placement.

Benefits of Atherectomy Procedure

An atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure that helps restore healthy blood flow and quickly relieves symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Atherectomy procedures are extremely effective, especially when combined with lifestyle changes, such as eating healthier and regularly exercising. Unlike traditional surgery, an atherectomy procedure also offers the following advantages:

  • Effectively helps restore blood flow 
  • Improves circulation
  • No hospital stay 
  • No major incision 
  • No scarring
  • Same day procedure 
  • Shorter recovery time

Candidates for Atherectomy

Patients who have plaque buildup inside their arteries or symptoms related to peripheral artery disease are candidates for an atherectomy procedure. Atherectomy can often relieve symptoms of peripheral artery disease without surgery. You may be a good candidate for an atherectomy if you’re experiencing the following PAD symptoms:

  • Muscle pain and numbness in the feet or legs
  • Calf pain while walking that goes away with rest
  • Sores or wounds on the legs or feet that won’t heal
  • Poor circulation in the legs or feet 
  • Leg and foot and/or toe discoloration 
  • Weakness in the legs, feet, or toes
  • Legs, feet or toes feeling cold

How to Prepare for Atherectomy Procedure

Before the procedure, one of our affiliated physicians will talk to you about what to expect before, during, and after your atherectomy. Preparation for atherectomy may also involve the following:

  • Overview of family and medical history
  • Routine blood work and imaging tests (ultrasound or MRI)
  • Telling your doctor about any allergies to medications or contrast dye
  • Refrain from taking blood thinning and NSAID medications prior to procedure
  • Not eating or drinking for at least 6 hours prior to surgery
  • Arranging for someone to drive you home after the procedure
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Request an Appointment

Request an Appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.

How is Atherectomy Performed

Atherectomy is a less invasive way of restoring blood flow to your legs. Our affiliated vascular specialists are atherectomy experts with extensive experience performing these procedures. Before the procedure, you’ll receive local anesthesia and mild sedation to help you relax. A catheter is then inserted into your artery via your groin or upper thigh area. The catheter is guided through the artery to access the narrow or blocked area. An X-ray is then taken to help your vascular doctor pinpoint the area that is blocked or narrowed. 

Once your physician detects the blocked area, he or she then uses tiny blades, or a laser, attached to the end of the catheter to cut away or vaporize the plaque. Your doctor may repeat this process a couple of times until enough plaque is removed so that blood can flow freely through your arteries. Depending on your condition, your specialist may use different types of blades or use lasers to remove plaque:

  • Excisional atherectomy: A blade attached to the catheter cuts plaque buildup in one direction.
  • Orbital atherectomy: A spinning blade on the catheter’s tip grinds away the plaque like sandpaper.
  • Rotational atherectomy: Tiny blades with diamond chips rotate in a circular motion to crush plaque up into microscopic particles.
  • Laser ablation atherectomy: A high-energy laser attached to the catheter destroys and vaporizes plaque buildup in the arteries.

In some cases, stent placement or angioplasty may be performed after the atherectomy to ensure that the artery stays open. Once the procedure is complete, the catheter is removed from your artery.

PAD Close Up of Woman's Legs

Atherectomy Recovery Time

Atherectomies for peripheral artery disease are performed at one of our affiliated outpatient centers and typically last an hour. After your procedure, you will rest in a separate recovery room area before you are sent home the same day. You may be asked to initially lie down flat for a few hours and then gradually increase your mobility and sit up. Many patients are typically walking between 2-6 hours after treatment and resume normal activities within 24 to 48 hours.

What to Expect After Atherectomy

After your atherectomy procedure, your vascular specialist will give you detailed instructions to follow at home and may prescribe you blood thinning medications. Your specialist may recommend that you avoid heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, foods high in sodium and sugar, secondhand smoke, and soaking in water until your catheter incision site heals.

Your vascular specialist will also recommend you schedule a follow-up appointment to check your recovery progress. Before your follow-up appointment, if you notice any redness or swelling at the incision site or signs of a potential infection make sure to contact our office. However, after a successful atherectomy procedure, you should see a vast improvement in your PAD symptoms, making it much easier to function in normal activities and daily life again.

PAD Leg Pain Closeup

Why Choose American Endovascular for Atherectomy?

Patients who come to American Endovascular for an atherectomy benefit from our advanced minimally invasive-image guided techniques and individualized care to help catch plaque buildup in the early and late stages of PAD. Our affiliated vascular specialists represent the “best of the best” and are nationally recognized as innovators and leaders in the fields of Amputation Prevention and Endovascular & Interventional Radiology.

Our Vascular Centers in NY & NJ

American Endovascular has vascular centers in New York and New Jersey. Each of our centers offers atherectomy procedures and streamlined care in an outpatient setting that allows for convenient scheduling, same-day procedures, and no overnight hospital stay.

Brooklyn, NY
71 Carroll Street
Brooklyn, NY 11231
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Queens, NY
28-18 31st Street
Queens, NY 11102
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Harlem, NY
505 East 116th Street
Harlem, NY 10029
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West Orange, NJ
347 Mount Pleasant Avenue
West Orange, NJ 07052
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What Our Patients Are Saying

The staff are the best. Very elated,with the exceptional care,professionalism, and genuine concern, displayed by all the staff.
Constance Sidberry
Constance Sidberry
03:50 17 Mar 24
First Impressions are lasting impressions! First, the staff are phenomenal! How is it possible that each and every one of them are incredibly kind, caring, professional, personable and treat you like you are THE most important person in the world!? Well, meet this team for an experience that will make you feel valued as a person, not just as a patient. In walks this amazing Doctor and now you understand why his team are the way they are! They regard each other with the utmost respect, and kindness, and they communicate with each other like family. And as a new patient, I had the honor and pleasure to experience excellence in patient care and concern. I am so very grateful to have found a Doctor who is in my opinion perfect with a team who are exceptional! I’m excited for my next visit, honestly! I write this with a great big Smile on my face!
CC (Moon)
CC (Moon)
20:47 02 Mar 24
I felt very comfortable with him. Excellent bedside manner, proper teaching , and knowledgeable. I highly recommend him!
Jamel Jackson
Jamel Jackson
14:07 27 Feb 24
Yes it was a good place
Carmen Diaz
Carmen Diaz
14:22 20 Feb 24
The absolute BEST Dr!! Detailed, caring & kind! The best medical procedure I’ve ever had from consultation to post procedure, perfect! 10s all around 👏🏽👍🏽👍🏽 many thank yous🙏🏾
Josi W
Josi W
22:04 12 Jan 24
Excelente servicio es lo mejor que me a pasado gracias a sus buenos tratamiento ya no tengo dolor
Is good to be with friendly and professional staff at doctor’s offices like this one.
Dr. Joseph Sham and the entire Team were very professional, knowledgeable, informative and had incredible patience with me by answering all my questions and concerns. Great Team…Thank you all! 👍
Marion
Marion
22:17 27 Dec 23
I was treated very well. The staff was very professional and made me feel comfortable. Looking forward to my next visit.
Stephen Lapinsky
Stephen Lapinsky
20:17 20 Dec 23
This experience was great I’m so happy with everything
stephanie suazo
stephanie suazo
22:53 13 Dec 23
Excellent, professional, organized and efficient all best describes the service here.
Delsi Cunningham
Delsi Cunningham
00:41 06 Dec 23
Love this Dr and staff. They are all kind courteous and professional with excellent medical care. I would highly recommend them to anyone in need.
Sybil Wilkins
Sybil Wilkins
21:58 28 Nov 23
I love this place stuff is helpful an they all were nice. I had a wonderful experience Dr Shams was great.
Victoria Pacheco
Victoria Pacheco
22:07 17 Nov 23
Professional services
Ricky Mo
Ricky Mo
22:14 15 Nov 23
I like the doctor they were kind of pretty thorough he says that he could help me he found out the filter in my abdomen from the surgery I had in 1996 has been clogging my blood flow for 25 years and that’s causing the swelling at every other doctor told me was lymphedema it was not lymphedema it caused the lymphedema because no other doctor took the time or care enough to find out the reason for my leg swelling this doctor was the only one who finally found out and he’s going to see if you could put a stent inside the filter to open it up and and stop my legs from swelling hopefully this will all go good it hasn’t happened yet but I’ll keep you posted thankful for this docto I just pray and hope that it works otherwise I like the doctor very much
Mitchell Dedios
Mitchell Dedios
21:01 27 Oct 23
Excellent service , good customer service and friendly staff. Thanks
Raysa Polanco
Raysa Polanco
20:54 27 Oct 23
You may likely have to wait. Avoid anxiety and frustration. Schedule extra time for the visit. Allow for personal attention to your care needs once in the examination room. Friendly, nice staff and doctor puts you at ease. Bottom line: worth the wait!
Sisle
Sisle
21:49 26 Oct 23
Very nice and friendly staff.I was so nervous, they all made me feel relaxed and comfortable.They explained everything to me step by step.
Keith Dickens
Keith Dickens
21:18 23 Oct 23
Excellent service and staff i’ll let you feel relaxing and comfortable
kadine campbell
kadine campbell
21:01 23 Oct 23
Sheer perfection. The care and expertise and teamwork are the best I have ever experienced. I’m a former nurse and I recognize and give a shout out to the best!!!!
Barbara Murray
Barbara Murray
20:49 10 Oct 23
I was given good advice about my blood circulation
Gary Jackson
Gary Jackson
17:04 08 Oct 23
Dr. Shams office is amazing. Whitney and Angela were AMAZING. Great sense of humor. Staff is WONDERFUL.
Sara Correa
Sara Correa
21:13 18 Sep 23
Nice office, personnel friendly, & caring, good informative information concerning my care.
Loretta Johnson
Loretta Johnson
21:26 22 Aug 23
Really like this doctor, talks in your language, just over all regular nice person.
Linda Thoomey
Linda Thoomey
22:03 21 Jul 23
I’m very satisfied of my visit for the first time, everyone was concerned about me, and Dr David was very patient to listen to my long health stories, after that He gave me good explanation for my problem, that was great 👍
Claude Jean Pierre
Claude Jean Pierre
22:38 18 Jul 23
Follow up to a procedure. Dr Mobley and his staff are great and always helpful
DanLiza Diehl
DanLiza Diehl
21:25 10 Jul 23
David monkey,MD and the grupo are excellent very kind and helpful.i will return to them.the attention.its very satisfied.thank u ..
Luis Sarria
Luis Sarria
12:16 29 Jun 23
I had a good experience with my procedure and Dr. Mobley’s follow-up calls are great. I’ve never had a doctor who has been so concerned about following up after a procedure to see how I’m doing and if there are any post-procedure problems I may have experienced (which there aren’t). I’d highly recommend Dr. Mobley.
Hey Beej
Hey Beej
16:42 23 Jun 23
Dr Mobley was so helpful, informative and made me feel secure in making my future medical plan. Supportive and kind. Highly recommended.
Amanda L Browder
Amanda L Browder
15:57 23 Jun 23
Doctor was very thorough. Explaining what the procedure is all about. Tell me what I could realistically expect. Couldn’t have asked for a better consultation. Highly recommended if you have a prostate issue
John Buric
John Buric
16:26 15 Jun 23
I was very pleased and satisfied on how Dr. David Mobley examined me and explained everything on what I need to know regarding my condition. He’s very professional and knowledgeable in all aspects of his profession. I would highly recommend him to my other friends!
Celine Parcon
Celine Parcon
23:16 07 Jun 23
Dr Shams was very attentive and explained everything in detail. The staff was very nice, the staff/nurse were all so very helpful, It was a Monday morning and I didn’t expect such happy staff.
Stacy Lebeau
Stacy Lebeau
21:22 06 Jun 23
He puts his patients before himself, returning calls and e-mails quickly. Not only is he kind and considerate, he is an excellent physician. I had to have a procedure that requires me to be awake, and he talked me through it and kept me at ease. If I could give him more stars, I would.
Super friendly, tentative, once in the procedure rm the sx staff made you feel comfortable, easy,+ answered all questions. David mobley, MD answered all my questions, very informative, caring. I felt confident in his care
Thais Bini
Thais Bini
21:22 30 May 23
Great doctor. Everyone is so kind and caring. Great place to go
Joan Jurica
Joan Jurica
14:46 30 May 23
Good service!
Veronika Shopina
Veronika Shopina
21:09 24 May 23
There is a friendly atmosphere, fast medical attention and an advanced medical equipment !!!The Staff is very knowledgeable and the best care possibly !!!100 % Satisfied !!!
Cruz Figueroa
Cruz Figueroa
03:06 08 May 23
Whole staff was very friendly and professional. I feel confident that I came to the right place for treatment.
Rudy Padilla
Rudy Padilla
02:08 13 Apr 23
The best in Astoria I recommend Dr mobley and staff 100 percent
michaela1951
michaela1951
21:25 30 Mar 23
Knowledgeable , experienced, great bed side manners
mohamed hamed
mohamed hamed
10:09 30 Mar 23
I am pleased w/my experience @ endovascular. I hope they can save my foot.
Margo A Williams
Margo A Williams
19:19 29 Mar 23
This has been the best medical experience I’ve had in over thirty years. I was nervous to have a procedure after only knowing about my condition a year ago. They made this process so easy for me that I’m in shock that I had no pain, no discomfort thanks to an excellent doctor and professional staff! Thank you all and best of luck to your practice.
Stacey Marius
Stacey Marius
14:16 29 Mar 23
The doctor was very nice and professional. He explained the tests that I need and why I need them.
Judith AndersonNeal
Judith AndersonNeal
22:12 27 Mar 23
This was the best experience I have had in such a long time and I have had quite a few procedures in the past both in patient and out including the procedure I was currently present for. No other surgeon has been so kind, transparent, and gentle. Not only did he personally come out beforehand to provide me with education on my procedure, but he talked me through every step of the way and made me feel so comfortable and relaxed. Not to mention his amazing staff! Despite being extremely nervous they kept me smiling and laughing throughout the whole process. 10/10 would recommend. Thank you so much guys!!
Riah L.
Riah L.
13:49 22 Mar 23
Excellent bedside manners and the procedure was a breeze.
sen-pei hsia
sen-pei hsia
18:26 20 Mar 23
Los mejores/ the best💖🙏
Ruthy Ochoa
Ruthy Ochoa
04:17 03 Mar 23
Excellent, Patience, don’t Rush you to be finished. The Doctor explains everything and answers your questions. I would Recommend Dr.Sham service anytime, they are. Great!
Debra Farmer
Debra Farmer
00:16 01 Mar 23
I went with my mom who just had a hip surgery. The whole team was very caring, nice and very professional. I did appreciate that the surgeon took the time to explain to me what was wrong with my mom’s arm and what he did to fix it.
mouna khalyat
mouna khalyat
14:37 24 Feb 23
Very good and very responsive.
James Young
James Young
19:33 22 Feb 23
Although I didn’t meet with the doctor, the receptionist, assistant and nurse were great.
Theresa Gaines
Theresa Gaines
13:25 13 Feb 23
Every thing and the process are being done properly ..Terissa you are very Carey ..thank you so much every body are very polite and very professional.. Thank you so much to Dr.Mobley..God blessed you all .🙏🙏🙏👍
Remigio Ruda
Remigio Ruda
03:28 31 Jan 23
Very knowledgeable, personable and professional. I came to Dr. Mobley to correct another surgeons work and I was pleased with the outcome. There is a Hispanic woman that runs things in the O.R.She is great! The whole staff is wonderful and caring.Highly recommend
Lakesha Kingdom
Lakesha Kingdom
15:57 17 Jan 23
I had a wonderful PA take care of me, & the nurses were very sweet. I was happy with my visit
Aurora Anello
Aurora Anello
19:20 10 Jan 23
Everything always goes well.staff are very caring.
Lillian Rodriguez
Lillian Rodriguez
19:00 11 Dec 22
Excellent Doctor he explains the procedure process so that it is understandable and comfortable for the patient!
T. J.
T. J.
14:48 06 Dec 21
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