The Vascular Surgery department of Hospital da Luz Lisboa performed the first intravascular lithotripsy with Shockwave® technology, a minimally invasive procedure to unblock calcified veins with the help of a modern tech device . The pioneering procedure was applied by a team under the coordination of Nelson Camacho , a specialist in Angiology and Vascular Surgery, to treat a patient with critical limb ischemia due to peripheral arterial disease in the iliofemoral section. This is a clinical condition where there is a severe reduction of blood supply to the legs, caused by arterial narrowing, leading to intense pain, sores that do not heal, or more serious complications implying the need for amputation (chronic limb-threatening ischemia). Intravascular lithotripsy offers an alternative approach for individuals with complex vascular diseases, where conventional options of treatment are limited. In the case of this Hospital da Luz patient, the advanced technology of lithotripsy made it possible to treat his arterial calcification in a minimally invasive manner, enhancing the blood supply and providing significant pain relief and improvement of the limb perfusion. “Intravascular lithotripsy represents a crucial step in the way we treat peripheral arterial disease. We are certain that it will change the life of many patients facing the challenge of critical ischemia and intermittent claudication”, points out Nelson Camacho. Hospital da Luz Lisboa continues clearly at the forefront of Medicine with a strong commitment to research and the adoption of technologies promoting a safer and more effective approach in the treatment of vascular pathologies. In the photo above , the surgical team: Nelson Camacho, nurse Rosário Manso and Fábio Pais.
