STHS Edinburg Helping Save Limbs & Lives

STHS Edinburg hosted a special ceremony to officially launch the Dr. Ofsman Quintana-led program aimed at preventing lower extremity limb loss for Rio Grande Valley residents at risk for amputation due to severe peripheral artery disease

Each year, more than 150,000 people have a lower extremity amputation in the United States, per the National Library of Medicine, with peripheral artery disease (PAD) among the most common causes leading to amputation.

Caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances along the artery walls, PAD increases a person’s risk for heart complications, as well as significant blockages in the flow of blood to the arms, legs or feet. The disease affects about eight to 10 million adults across the U.S., per the American Heart Association, with the number of people with PAD increasing due to an aging population and the rise of obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.

Startlingly, diabetes – a chronic health condition highly prevalent in the Rio Grande Valley – is present in 82% of all vascular-related lower extremity amputations in the U.S., per the National Library of Medicine.

Following a leg amputation, a person’s quality life can be significantly altered, including reduced physical mobility, limitations in daily activities, body image concerns, psychological distress like depression and anxiety and challenges with social participation.

Beyond impacting a person’s overall well-being and sense of independence, lower extremity limb loss can greatly affect a person’s life expectancy. The five-year mortality after major amputation ranges from 40–82% after below-knee amputations and 40–90% after above-knee amputations, according to the National Institutes of Health.

In its commitment to providing Rio Grande Valley residents with advanced, high-quality medical care, South Texas Health System – the largest integrated network of care in the region – is leading the charge in limb preservation through the STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program at STHS Edinburg.

To prevent disease progression and provide early intervention in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI), the most severe stage of PAD, the program consists of a dedicated multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals focused on identifying and treating patients at risk of losing a limb due to poor blood circulation, infection or other conditions.

“Through awareness and education initiatives, early detection and timely treatment, the STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program at STHS Edinburg helps identify diseased limbs and restore blood flow with the goal of preserving the mobility and functionality of the limb and minimizing amputations,” says Ofsman E. Quintana, MD, FACC, a board-certified interventional cardiologist who serves as the program’s medical director. “With leading technology aimed at improving and restoring lives through advanced care, this program is providing a lifeline to patients suffering from peripheral artery disease.”

Utilizing STHS Edinburg’s two advanced cardiac catheterization labs – each containing the Philips Allura Xper FD20 system, which features advanced technology, brilliant image quality and clinical performance – a team of specialists collaborate to provide optimal care, including diagnosis, treatment planning, surgical interventions and post-operative management.

“South Texas Health System has built a highly skilled team, led by Dr. Quintana, to provide innovative interventions to help save limbs and lives,” says Lance Ames, Chief Executive Officer, STHS Edinburg and STHS Children’s. “The STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program offers among the most advanced treatments available to give Rio Grande Valley residents the best options to prevent lower extremity limb loss.”

The STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention program offers several minimally invasive, catheter-based treatment options, including Shockwave Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL), Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA), DETOUR Percutaneous Bypass and Rotarex Rotational Atherectomy System.

To date, Dr. Quintana and his team have performed 480 limb-saving procedures that have helped identify diseased limbs, repaired tissues and muscles and restored blood supply, thereby preserving mobility and functionality of the limb and minimizing the risk of amputation for those Rio Grande Valley residents.

To officially launch of the STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Prevention Program, STHS Edinburg hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony and open house at the facility on Thursday, January 30, which included a tour of

the cardiac catheterization labs.

During the dedication event, dozens of attendees, including family medicine physicians and specialists, community leaders and Rio Grande Valley residents, had the opportunity to learn more about the program from Dr. Quintana and his team, as well as take part in interactive demonstrations of various procedures using the Philips Allura Xper FD20 system.

To connect with the STHS Limb Salvage & Amputation Program team, contact nurse navigator Rae Llasos at (956) 329-8356 or teodyrae.llasos@uhsrgv.com. To learn more about the program, visit www.southtexashealthsystemedinburg.com.

About South Texas Health System

South Texas Health System is a multi-facility healthcare system serving patients throughout the Rio Grande Valley. The system includes four acute care facility campuses with specialties in pediatrics, heart and vascular services, maternity and women’s health and trauma services. Inpatient and outpatient treatment for behavioral health needs and addictive disorders is also provided through the system’s South Texas Health System Behavioral facility. South Texas Health System is affiliated with the South Texas Clinical Partners ACO, Prominence Health Plan and Cornerstone Regional Hospital. The system operates an advanced Level I Trauma Center at South Texas Health System McAllen, the first and only freestanding children’s facility and pediatric ER at South Texas Health System Children’s, the region’s only freestanding heart hospital and specialized cardiac ER at South Texas Health System Heart and seven freestanding emergency rooms located in and around Weslaco, Mission, Edinburg, McAllen, Pharr and Alamo. For more information about the system and its comprehensive services, please visit www.southtexashealthsystem.com.

Physicians are independent practitioners who are not employees or agents of South Texas Health System. The hospital shall not be liable for actions or treatments provided by physicians.