1. Plain English explanations based on published & peer-reviewed clinical studies Preventing Amputation with an Arterial Compression Pump

2. Quick Introduction Arterial compression pumps (or arterial assist devices) are non-invasive, doctor-prescribed, home-use medical devices for patients with poor circulation in the limbs (also called PAD, or peripheral arterial disease). When an artery in the leg is blocked, blood cannot reach the toes. This poor circulation often leads to various complications, especially if the patient also has diabetes. Sometimes, these complications lead to amputation of the limb. Arterial assist devices increase blood flow to the toes so that wounds heal and patients can avoid major amputation. 3. An Arterial Assist Pump (ArtAssist Device) The machine quickly pumps air into the cuffs, whose air bladders inflate sequentially: first the foot and ankle, then the calf. This promotes increased circulation. 4. Physiological Effects/Optimization What needs to happen inside a patients vascular system for there to be more blood flow? What kind of machine can accomplish this? 5. Design Basics Intermittent Calf and Foot Compression Increases Lower Extremity Blood Flow. Augustine R. Eze, et al. Am J Surg 1996; 172: 130-135 Before arterial assist devices were out on the market, researchers first needed to determine some vital details to make sure the pump system maximized circulation: Patient position (lying down vs. sitting) Just foot, just calf, or foot + calf compression? Compression all at once vs. sequentially Inflation pressure Inflation & deflation rates 120 mmHg well under 0.5 seconds 6. Design Basics: Important Facts All of these configurations should be met by the pumps manufacture, especially the rapid inflation & deflation rates. If a pump distributor cannot confirm all of these details for you, look for a different brand. 7. Design Basics: Important Facts Believe it or not, not all device manufacturers cover these design basics. You might actually see a lot of machines that are simply modified lymphedema pumps. If you have PAD, you dont want a modified lymphedema or DVT prophylaxis you want an arterial assist device! 8. Intermittent Claudication (Pain Caused By Exercise) Now that we know the arterial assist device can effectively increase circulation, what can it do for PAD patients who have trouble walking without pain? 9. Can increasing blood flow with an arterial assist device help people walk farther? Improvement of the walking ability in intermittent claudication due to superficial femoral artery occlusion with supervised exercise and pneumatic foot and calf compression: A randomized controlled trial. Kakkos, et al. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg. August 2005; Vol. 30: 164-175 Yes. In the study you see on the left, researchers compared compression pump therapy to both supervised and unsupervised exercise. It turned out that not only was pump therapy comparable to supervised exercise, but these test patients also maintained their benefits even after a year. This means that, even if a patient has difficulties walking, s/he could use the arterial assist device instead and get similar results to actual exercise. 10. Intermittent Claudication: Important Facts Often times, having intermittent claudication is not enough to have a serious surgical intervention, such as a bypass. As previously mentioned, patients who have an especially difficult time walking can depend on an arterial assist device. After a few months, they can be back on their feet! 11. Critical Limb Ischemia/Limb Salvage Use of the device can improve walking distances. What can it do for people whose limbs may be in danger of amputation? 12. CLI: Down to the Wire A randomized, placebo-controlled limb salvage trial using the ArtAssist pneumatic compression device. George Louridas, MD, Head, Section of Vascular Surg, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada. Presented @ Winnipeg Vasc & Endovasc Symposium April 2006 This clinical trial compared a control group (not using the real pump) to an experimental group (receiving the therapy). All patients had critically ischemic limbs. The limb salvage rate of the experimental group was significantly higher than that of the control group, even in patients who had renal failure. Non-renal failure patients had an 86% limb salvage rate. 13. Limb Salvage: Important Facts If a PAD patients condition is worsening and there is nothing a surgeon can do, the next step is often amputation. However, with the availability of an arterial assist device, amputation doesnt have to happen. A patients quality of life and financial circumstances do not have to suffer, even if the prognosis looks pretty bad. Talk to your doctor about ArtAssistThe Arterial Assist Device 14. Optimized to treat PAD 25+ published clinical studies 86% - 94% limb salvage rates in studies performed at multiple centers The only device ArtAssist.com A product by (888) 4 LEG FLO 15. Developer, manufacturer & distributor of ArtAssistThe Arterial Assist Device San Marcos, California, USA Prescribing Recommended regimen: 1 hour T.I.D. for 90 days Provide patients name, face sheet, and phone number Fax to (760) 744-4401 or email to info@acimedical.com Let ACI Medical handle the rest Delivery, training & full customer support