Deep freeze therapy By AMANDA CUDA -
[Cached Version]
Published on: 2/5/2004
Last Visited: 11/8/2008
Dr. John Aruny, the other co-director of the Endovascular Center, said that the new procedure can alleviate the congestion, but limit the possibility of scarring.
In cryoplasty, a similar balloon device is used, but is filled with pressurized nitrous oxide.The liquid expands, turning into a gas and cooling the balloon to 14 degrees.
The cold gas freezes the plaque, causing it to crack, allowing for better blood flow.It doesn't cause the scarring that angioplasty does, because the cold air prompts natural cell death of the cells in the artery.
"The body is turning over cells all the time," Aruny said."When cells die off naturally, you don't get scarring. [Cryoplasty] tricks the body into thinking this is just natural cell turnover."
The cold air is in the artery for only a short amount of time,about 20 seconds,to prevent freezing anything but the plaque.
Sumpio and fellow co-director Dr. John Aruny began using the technology after the first of the year, and have already done several procedures.
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"We're still early in the game," Aruny said.
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Meanwhile, Aruny is optimistic that cryoplasty will be helpful to patients battling peripheral vascular disease.
"We're hoping that, with this, we can obtain a more durable result over time," he said.