CIS Is First in the Country to Use New Freedom Flow System to Treat Peripheral Artery Disease

October 23, 2023– HOUMA, LA – Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is the first in the country to use the FreedomFlow® Orbital Atherectomy Platform to treat peripheral artery disease (PAD) in the legs. Drs. Pradeep Nair, McCall Walker, and Craig Walker used the new technology on October 19 at Terrebonne General Health. This system by Cardio Flow, Inc. was FDA-cleared in late September.

The FreedomFlow platform is designed with a modern mechanism to clear plaque blockages in the arteries of the legs. This proprietary, catheter-based design leverages the physics of angular momentum, creating a spiral geometry that puts five diamond-coated spheres in simultaneous contact with the vessel wall, whether advancing or retracting. A diamond-coated tip also helps ease the driveshaft through tight blockages.

This unique approach gives physicians a highly efficient, effective, and flexible way to treat complex PAD in a wide range of vessel diameters—from 2 mm in the ankle to 8 mm in the hip—and greater versatility in treating multiple arteries and multiple blockages in the same vessel, all with a single device. The simplicity of the FreedomFlow platform also offers quick and simple device setup, no capital equipment, no lubricant, and reduced inventory needs. It also provides faster run times, consistent treatment outcomes, and a nearly flat learning curve for physicians, making it an ideal choice for today’s hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and office-based labs. 

“Complex, obstructive lesions in patients suffering from peripheral artery disease of the lower extremity is commonplace.  Effective therapy of these lesions often requires plaque modification and/or debulking to enhance lumen gain and achieve the most optimal outcomes. FreedomFlow, from my experience, is able to safely achieve these goals with very impressive procedural outcomes.” 

“Terrebonne General is honored to be the first Health System to perform this groundbreaking procedure thanks to our amazing physicians and staff who continue to trail blaze the most leading edge treatments that improve the lives of our patients,” said Phyllis Peoples, Terrebonne General President and CEO.  

Peripheral vascular disease, including artery and vein disease, affects more than 50 million people in the United States. Arterial disease specifically prevents blood flow to the legs and feet, causing significant pain and limited mobility, and in severe cases, leads to the need for surgery or amputation. Symptoms of PAD in the legs include: pain or cramping after activity, numbness, coldness, sores or ulcers that won’t heal, discoloration, hair loss, shiny skin or a weak pulse.

To learn more or schedule an appointment with a CIS cardiologist near you, visit www.cardio.com.

About Cardiovascular Institute of the South

Founded by Dr. Craig Walker in 1983, Cardiovascular Institute of the South (CIS) is a world-leader in preventing, detecting and treating cardiovascular and peripheral vascular disease. CIS offers a comprehensive heart and vascular program with expert physicians trained in many specialties, including internal medicine, nuclear cardiology, electrophysiology, lipid management, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, structural heart and valve disease, venous disease and interventional procedures. CIS has earned international acclaim as a pioneer of research, development and education, as well as an innovator in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease. With a dedicated team of more than 1,075 team members, CIS provides comprehensive cardiovascular care at 21 locations across Louisiana and Mississippi, with 11 telemedicine programs. CIS has also been recognized by Modern Healthcare as a Best Place to Work in Healthcare for three years in a row. CIS remains at the forefront of technology, providing the highest-quality, compassionate care. This mission has guided the institute for 40 years of excellence. For more information about CIS, call 1-800-425-2565 or visit www.cardio.com.

About Cardio Flow, Inc.

Cardio Flow, Inc., is a privately held medical device company located in St. Paul, MN, which designs and develops minimally invasive peripheral vascular products with the goal of providing physicians with better treatment options for peripheral vascular disease to improve patients’ lives. See cardioflow.net for more information.

About Terrebonne General Health System 

Terrebonne General Health System is the largest healthcare resource provider in southeast Louisiana that has taken the lead to deliver medical excellence and innovation to the people of Southeast Louisiana. Driven by a "high tech" and "high touch" style of healing that offers an expansive range of services that provide hospital care and preventive care while also providing basic healthcare needs on and offsite. Our highly skilled healthcare team consists of over 1,500 employees, with over 450 medical staff providers that offer 42 various specialties. Our system has been honored with many prestigious awards and accolades for quality, safety, and patient experience on the state, national and international levels. Terrebonne General took the lead to initiate a public/private partnership with Ochsner Health which delivers crucial safety-net services for the region through Chabert Medical Center and is part of an alliance of healthcare-focused entities across the greater Gulf South region. For more information, please visit www.tghealthsystem.com and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.