Vascular Surgeons at Allegheny Health Network First in Western Pennsylvania to Offer New Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedure for Patients Diagnosed with Peripheral Artery Disease

Wexford, Pa. – Vascular surgeons at Allegheny Health Network’s (AHN) Cardiovascular Institute announced today they are the first clinical team in western Pennsylvania to successfully treat a form of complex artery disease with a new minimally invasive surgical approach known as percutaneous transmural arterial bypass (PTAB) with the DETOUR System by Endologix.

Satish C. Muluk, MD, vascular surgeon and system director of vascular surgery at AHN, led the first successful procedure in September at AHN Wexford Hospital.

The PTAB procedure utilizing the DETOUR system is specifically designed to treat a circulatory problem known as peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is caused primarily by the buildup of fatty plaque in blood vessels. It’s more common in the lower extremities, causing significant pain and discomfort in the legs, but can also be seen in the upper extremities.

Oxygenated blood flow from the peripheral arteries, which carry blood away from the heart to other parts of the body, is significantly reduced with PAD as the arteries narrow from plaque.

According to the American Heart Association, PAD is present in more than 12 million people across the U.S.

“When left untreated, peripheral artery disease can cause patients debilitating pain, loss of mobility, sores on lower limbs and in extreme cases can lead to amputation, heart attack or stroke,” Dr. Muluk said. “Previously, treatment options, outside of lifestyle modifications and medication therapies, included open surgical bypass, balloon angioplasty or stent placement, many of which patients did not qualify for due to comorbidities or overall risk profile.”

Using the DETOUR technology system, vascular surgeons now have another option for PAD patients. During the procedure, surgeons make a small incision near the groin and place a stent graft into the femoral vein, bypassing the blockage within the femoral artery and restoring oxygenated blood flow back into the lower limbs.

“The stent graft begins in the femoral artery — blood then flows from the artery into the femoral vein and back into the artery, circumventing a patient’s blockage,” explained Dr. Muluk. “This procedure, powered by the innovative DETOUR technology, essentially creates a new pathway for blood to flow around the clogged area, and restores adequate oxygenated blood flow to minimize or completely eliminate symptoms caused by PAD.”

After the DETOUR bypass procedure, the femoral vein effectively becomes a two-way avenue — arterial blood flows south through the stent and toward the leg and foot, but there is still enough room left in the vein for blood to also flow north, back toward the heart.

The DETOUR system, which earned Breakthrough Device Designation from the FDA in 2020 and received approval from the FDA in June 2023, has been proven to be safe and clinically effective in several clinical trials.

DETOUR 2, a clinical trial published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery (DOI: 10.1016/j.jvs.2024.02.004), enrolled 200 patients across 32 sites globally, all of whom were treated with the DETOUR system. At the 12-month mark, the procedure was successful in keeping blood vessels open in 72% of patients, and nearly 78% of patients kept blood vessels open with only minor additional interventions.

"Allegheny Health Network's Cardiovascular Institute is deeply committed to providing patients with the latest groundbreaking surgical therapies," said Dr. Stephen Bailey, Chair of the AHN Cardiovascular Institute. "We are nationally recognized for pioneering approaches to complex cardiovascular disease, especially for patients with medication-resistant cases and those with limiting comorbidities. Today's announcement marks another significant achievement for our exceptional team of vascular surgeons and cardiologists and their ability to bring the highest level of care to patients, right in their very own communities.”

AHN Wexford Hospital, which opened in September of 2021 in Pine Twp., has been lauded for exceptional care delivery and patient safety scores since opening and serves as a primary location for complex care delivery from the AHN Cardiovascular Institute. Most recently, the hospital was recognized by AHA and American Stroke Association for its high quality of heart failure, atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, and stroke care programs.

To learn more about the AHN Cardiovascular Institute or to make an appointment with one of the network’s cardiologists, visit ahn.org or call 412-DOCTORS.

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