Hospital Services

Peripheral Vascular Procedures

Peripheral Vascular Procedures are a significant area of our vascular practice. Associated Cardiologists, P.C., through Dr. Stuart Pink and Dr. Ken May, was the first cardiology group to offer nonsurgical treatment of peripheral vascular disease in the area. They underwent specialized training and began doing renal artery stenting in 1997.

In order to improve and extend the quality of diagnosis and treatment of peripheral vascular disease, medical science has established a new concept of Global Cardiovascular Care.

In Central Pennsylvania, Associated Cardiologists, P.C., has become the leader in Global Cardiovascular Care, based on groundbreaking work in Harrisburg by Drs. Stuart Pink and Kenneth May, who initially developed and applied the concept as an integral part of patient care. The arrival of Dr. Rajesh M. Dave in 2001 enabled Associated Cardiologists to expand and enhance its services in vascular medicine.

Associated Cardiologists perform in excess of several hundred peripheral vascular interventional procedures annually. As a result, we are able to offer to patients in Central Pennsylvania the newest, cutting-edge therapies in vascular medicine. These include Nitinol stenting for superficial femoral arteries and carotid artery stenting. Dr. Dave is a principal investigator for trials looking at early diagnosis and treatment of acute blockages of arteries of the arms and legs to improve circulation and avoid amputation.

We are confident that our successful application of Global Cardiovascular Care is both improving the diagnosis and treatment of coronary and peripheral vascular disease and is making cardiac and vascular care more convenient and accessible to those who can benefit from it. We welcome patient referrals by all area physicians.

Carotid Stenting
A specially designed guide wire with a filter, that acts similar to an umbrella, is placed beyond the area of narrowing in the carotid artery. Once in place, a small balloon is inflated for a few seconds to dilate the artery. Then, the stent (a small titanium mesh tube that acts as a scaffold to provide support inside your artery) is placed in the artery and opens to fit the size of the artery. The filter, also known as a "distal protection device," is used to capture any particles that are released and prevent them from going to the brain and causing a stroke. A second balloon inflation is done to make sure the stent is completely expanded in your carotid artery. The stent stays in place permanently. After several weeks, your artery heals around the stent.