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Clearing the Path

Ephe Olliver, 84, a Navy veteran and retired commercial pilot from Doylestown, was experiencing leg pain with exercise caused by poor circulation to the muscles and tissues of his legs, a condition known as claudication.

“I’ve been exercising more than the average bear for the last 21 years because I had open heart bypass surgery,” says Ephe. “But, due to PAD, I began to feel pain in my legs while working out and even when I was simply walking outdoors.”

Claudication is usually a symptom of a larger issue, peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a common circulatory problem in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs. This reduction in blood flow commonly causes pain in the legs.

With PAD, Ephe felt fine at rest, but blockages in both femoral arteries resulted in insufficient blood flow to his legs when he was active, causing pain.

PAD is typically caused by atherosclerosis, a buildup of plaque that narrows and blocks the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the limbs, according to Doylestown Health vascular surgeon Atul Rao, MD.

Exercise First

“Claudication is not a limb-threatening condition, so we often try a conservative route through exercise such as walking, which can help patients develop vascular detour pathways around blockages,” says Dr. Rao.

The Next Step

“After trying exercise, Ephe came back in,” says Dr. Rao. “It became clear that he was experiencing more pain than he originally let on, so we moved forward with a procedure to clear his femoral arteries.”

Femoral Endarterectomy

“You can’t just chip away at the plaque, because that would leave a jagged edge which could lead to clotting,” says Dr. Rao. He used a pencil-like instrument with a small spoon at the end, called a freer, to remove the entire inner wall of the narrowed section of Ephe’s femoral artery, taking the mass of plaque with it and leaving behind a glistening clean surface. Three months later, he repeated the procedure on the right side.

“My legs will never be perfect, but I found relief after the procedure. I’m able to tolerate activity and exercise, and Dr. Rao says we can consider a stent in the future, if necessary,” says Ephe.

Keeping an Eye on Patients

“We follow patients like Ephe closely with ultrasounds after their procedures, and care for them long-term to support and monitor ongoing vascular health,” says Dr. Rao.

This careful monitoring led to Dr. Rao identifying a high-grade narrowing of Ephe’s left carotid artery about a year after his femoral arteries were cleared. The blocked carotid artery put Ephe at an increased risk for stroke.

“Dr. Rao performed another endarterectomy to open my carotid artery, and I’m very grateful,” says Ephe. “I feel secure with the personalized attention I receive from Dr. Rao and all of my Doylestown Health caregivers,” says Ephe, who supports innovation, education and excellence in heart and vascular care in his community as a volunteer member of Doylestown Health’s Friends of the Heart Institute Steering Committee.

Vascular Care at Doylestown Health

Doylestown Health’s highly experienced, fellowship-trained vascular surgeons offer advanced diagnosis and treatment of a wide array of vascular conditions. Our experts offer extensive experience in minimally invasive endovascular procedures, as well as technically challenging open and hybrid surgical repairs. The Endovascular Hybrid Operating Room, located at Doylestown Hospital, combines state-of-the-art imaging technologies with a fully-integrated and sterile surgical suite, allowing for treatment of the most complex cases.

PAD Guided Exercise Program

The most effective non-invasive therapy for improving PAD symptoms is exercise with lifestyle changes. Doylestown Health offers a Guided Exercise Therapy Program for PAD to help patients improve fitness and manage symptoms. Patients must visit a doctor before starting the program. Your doctor will review your condition and risk factors to create a personalized plan for you.

Article featured in the Winter 2020 issue of the Doylestown Health Dialogue magazine

About Doylestown Health Foundation

As the philanthropic arm of Doylestown Health, the Doylestown Health Foundation raises funds to safeguard the future of excellence in patient care and improves the quality of life for all members of our Central Bucks County community and beyond. Join us and make a gift today. For more information about Doylestown Health Foundation and giving opportunities at Doylestown Health, please call 215.345.2009 or email gifts@dh.org.

Doylestown Health Foundation

HIPAA Privacy Practices   |   Website Privacy Policy   |   Terms and Conditions   |   595 West State Street   |   Doylestown, PA 18901   |   215.345.2009   |   © 2022 Doylestown Health Foundation

  • One Vision Campaign
    • About One Vision
    • Campaign Giving
      • Planned Giving
        • Cornerstone Society
      • Endowments
      • Tax-Advantaged Giving Opportunities
      • Medical Staff Giving
      • Associate Giving
      • Friends of the Heart Institute
      • Naming Opportunities
    • One Vision Campaign Priorities
      • Children’s Village
      • Clark Center for Breast Imaging
      • Interventional Radiology
      • Doylestown Hospital Renovations and Expansions
      • Surgical Suite Renovation and Expansion
      • Clark Center for Critical Care Medicine
      • Precision Medicine
      • Woodall Center for Heart and Vascular Care
      • Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center
      • Pine Run Retirement Community
    • Campaign Events
      • Morel Family Foundation Center for Prenatal Care Ribbon-Cutting
      • Clark Center for Breast Imaging Ribbon-Cutting
      • Children’s Village Groundbreaking
      • Shindell Concourse Ribbon-Cutting
      • Clark Center for Critical Care Medicine Ribbon-Cutting
      • Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center Ribbon-Cutting
      • Byers Reflection Garden Ribbon-Cutting
      • Woodall Heart & Vascular Ribbon-Cutting
      • Beaming with Pride
    • Campaign Donors
      • One Vision Honor Roll
      • Annual Giving Honor Roll
      • Associate Honor Roll
      • Friends of the Heart Honor Roll
      • Medical Staff Honor Roll
      • One Community Honor Roll
      • Planned Giving Honor Roll
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • About Us
    • About the Foundation
    • About Doylestown Health
    • About the VIA
    • Awards and Recognition
    • Contact Us
  • Giving Opportunities
    • Annual Giving
    • Naming Opportunities
    • Tribute and Memorial Giving
    • Honor A Caregiver
    • Planned Giving
      • Cornerstone Society
    • Endowments
    • Tax-Advantaged Giving
    • Associates Giving Campaign
    • Medical Staff Campaign
    • Friends of the Heart Institute
    • Matching Gifts
    • Global Relief
  • Impact
    • Donor Stories
    • The Power of Your Support
    • Celebrating Generosity
    • Covid-19 Response
      • Docuseries
      • ONE COMMUNITY
  • Media
    • News
    • Press Releases
    • Newsletter
    • Publications
    • Videos
    • Advertisements
  • Events
    • Anticipating Our Centennial
    • One Vision
      • Children’s Village Topping Off Ceremony
      • Morel Family Foundation Center for Prenatal Care Ribbon-Cutting
      • Clark Center for Breast Imaging Ribbon-Cutting
      • Children’s Village Groundbreaking
      • Shindell Concourse Ribbon-Cutting
      • Clark Center for Critical Care Medicine Ribbon-Cutting
      • Clark Outpatient Rehabilitation Center Ribbon-Cutting
      • Byers Reflection Garden Ribbon-Cutting
      • Woodall Heart & Vascular Ribbon-Cutting
      • Beaming with Pride
    • Donor Recognition
      • 2022 Donor Appreciation Event
      • 2021 Donor Appreciation Event
      • 2022 Special Recognition Reception
      • 2021 Special Recognition Reception
      • 2019 Special Recognition Reception
    • Cornerstone Society Annual Appreciation Luncheon
      • 2022 Annual Appreciation Luncheon
      • 2021 Annual Appreciation Luncheon
    • Golf Classic
      • 2022 Golf Classic
      • 2021 Golf Classic
      • 2020 Golf Classic
      • 2019 Golf Classic
    • Raffle
      • 2022 Raffle
      • 2021 Raffle
      • 2020 Raffle
      • 2019 Raffle
    • Day of Giving
    • Community-Sponsored
      • Associate Appreciation Luncheon
      • PhillyStrong at Doylestown Hospital
      • Messages of Hope for Doylestown
      • 2018 Circle of Life
      • 2018 Cardiac Cook-Off
  • Donate Now
Doylestown Health Foundation