University Clinic organizes new master class in techniques of limb saving
A master class on the innovative rotational atherectomy technique using the Jetstream system was held at the University Clinic. The training was led by Pavel Kuryanov, Director of the Diabetic Foot and Surgical Infection Center at St. George’s City Hospital (St. Petersburg). Demonstration surgeries were performed by Seyedin Khizriev, Head of the Vascular Surgery Department; Albert Alkhazurov, Head of the Department of X-Ray Surgery and Treatment; and vascular surgeon Lenar Mindubaev.
Jetstream is a cutting-edge technology that enables the tracing of long, hardened atherosclerotic lesions in the arteries of the lower extremities, caused by calcium deposits, using a special catheter with cutting blades.
“The advantage of this method is simultaneous aspiration, in other words, the suction and removal of cholesterol plaques that block blood flow. Today, this is the only atherectomy system – a procedure for removing plaque from vessels using active aspiration – enabling the excision and immediate removal of atherosclerotic fragments, which allows for the restoration of normal blood flow in the legs and, in many cases, avoidance of amputation,” explained Pavel Kuryanov.
Four patients with critical lower extremity ischemia were successfully operated on during the workshop. According to Seyedin Khizriev, the majority of patients suffer from gangrene of the fingers and other critical circulatory disorders.
“Without timely intervention, we’re talking not just about amputation of the fingers, but about a complete amputation of the leg at the mid-thigh level. Our goal is to preserve the limb so that the patient can continue to move independently,” explained Khizriev.
Unlike traditional methods such as balloon angioplasty and stenting, which simply compress the atherosclerotic plaque against the vessel walls, the Jetstream rotary system completely removes plaque from within the vessel. This eliminates the need for stent placement and improves long-term prognosis.
The surgeries were performed in a hybrid operating room under X-ray guidance. The combination of endarterectomy and aspiration of atherosclerotic plaque is a distinct advantage of this technology, reducing hospitalization and rehabilitation time compared to open surgery.
The University Clinic plans to actively implement this technique in clinical practice for the treatment of patients with long-standing occlusions of lower extremity arteries, which will allow limb preservation and significantly improve patients’ quality of life.