Peripheral Artery
Disease (PAD)

Restoring blood flow and preserving limb function through a full spectrum of diagnostic and advanced endovascular treatments.

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The Root of
Poor Circulation

Advanced circulation care to relieve leg pain, heal wounds, and help prevent limb loss.

Peripheral Artery Disease, or PAD, occurs when plaque buildup narrows or blocks the arteries that carry blood to the legs and feet. When circulation is reduced, patients may develop leg cramping with walking, foot pain at night, slow-healing wounds, skin discoloration, or ulcers.

At Vascular Surgeons of Houston, we treat PAD with a complete range of options — from lifestyle changes and medication to advanced minimally invasive procedures and open surgical bypass when needed.

For longer blockages, complex disease, or cases where minimally invasive treatment is not the best option, bypass surgery may be recommended. This creates a new pathway for blood flow around the blocked artery using either the patient’s own vein or a surgical graft.

Bypass surgery can be especially important for patients with severe PAD, rest pain, non-healing wounds, or limb-threatening circulation problems.

Wound and Limb Salvage Care

When PAD causes foot wounds, ulcers, gangrene, or infection, restoring blood flow is only one part of treatment. Patients may also need wound care, infection control, offloading, compression when appropriate, and close coordination with podiatry, wound care specialists, and primary care.

Symptoms of PAD

leg pain or cramping with walking

fatigue or heaviness in the legs

cold feet

tingling & numbness

weak pulses

shiny skin

hair loss on the legs

slow-healing wounds

toe discoloration

pain in the foot while resting

Some patients have no obvious symptoms until the disease becomes advanced, especially patients with diabetes or neuropathy.

How PAD Is Diagnosed

Diagnosis may include a physical exam, pulse evaluation, ankle-brachial index testing, arterial ultrasound, angiography. These tests help identify where the blockage is, how severe it is, and which treatment option is safest and most effective.

Treatment Options for PAD

Lifestyle and Risk Factor Management

Early PAD can often be managed with a structured plan focused on improving circulation and slowing plaque buildup. This may include smoking cessation, walking therapy, diabetes control, cholesterol management, blood pressure control, nutrition changes, and routine vascular follow-up.

Medications

Medications may be used to reduce cardiovascular risk, improve walking distance, and prevent worsening disease. These may include antiplatelet therapy, cholesterol-lowering medication, blood pressure medication, diabetes medication, or medications that help improve walking symptoms in selected patients.

Minimally Invasive Endovascular Treatment

Many PAD blockages can be treated through a small needle puncture rather than a large incision. During an angiogram, a vascular surgeon can use specialized tools to restore blood flow.

Options may include:

Balloon angioplasty — a small balloon is inflated inside the artery to open a narrowed area.
Stent placement — a small metal scaffold is placed to help keep the artery open.
Atherectomy — plaque is carefully removed or shaved from the artery using specialized devices.
Drug-coated balloon therapy — medication is delivered directly to the artery wall to help reduce the chance of re-narrowing.
Intravascular ultrasound — advanced imaging from inside the artery may be used to better understand plaque, vessel size, and treatment results.

The Desai Difference

Exceptional PAD care for Cypress patients

Conservative Principles

We prioritize non-surgical management and medical optimization, offering surgery only when it is clinically necessary.

World-Class Training

Dr. Desai trained at world class institutions, bringing top-tier surgical experience to Cypress and the greater Houston community.

Innovation First

Pioneering advances in technology with pushing the limits of technology and medicine including participation in and performance of numerous first-in-Texas vascular and endovascular therapies.