News Release

-Southwest's new device is real gem for treating tough cases of Peripheral Artery Disease-

At just 61 years old, David Skiver of Vancouver thought the active lifestyle of his younger years was catching up with him when he started experiencing extreme heaviness and pain in his legs.

'I knew I had to do something when my legs hurt so badly that I could hardly mow my lawn,' explains Skiver.

Skiver is among 12 million Americans suffering from PAD, and an ideal candidate for the crown jewel of PAD treatments-the Diamondback 360°. This unique catheter device uses tiny diamonds to literally pulverize hardened (or calcified) plaque in the arteries that carry blood from the heart to the legs and feet. Southwest's vascular surgeons are among the first in the Pacific Northwest to offer the Diamondback 360°.

'The Diamondback 360° has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of peripheral artery disease,' explains Stephen Nicholls, MD, vascular surgeon with Southwest Thoracic and Vascular Surgery, PS. 'We can restore blood flow to arteries that could not be opened with a traditional stent or balloon. Results for the patient are life-changing.'

The Diamondback 360° from Cardiovascular Systems, Inc.(TM) spins in an orbital motion to grind away calcified plaque. With every rotation, centrifugal force presses a diamond 'crown' against the hardened area to remove small particles of plaque until the artery is smooth again.

'This device is an excellent option for patients facing major amputation because of advanced PAD,' says Dr. Nicholls. 'We're saving feet and legs with this technology.'

As for David Skiver, he has gone from living in a constant state of pain to feeing relieved and rejuvenated. 'There is hardly any discomfort-it's as if there was no disease,' he says.

Learn more about the Diamondback 360° and see a virtual demonstration of the device at www.swmedicalcenter.org/diamondback.