Living with PAD: One Patient’s Story

Posted: Feb. 1, 2007

Cold feet weren’t something Luan Laev experienced the day she married David Delahunt, her husband of 25 years. “No, no,” she said with a laugh. “But I’ve had cold feet ever since I can remember.”

In a routine exam in late 2005, Laev’s doctor found that beyond having cold feet, she had a weak pulse in her left foot. She also was experiencing some pain and cramping in her left calf.

Laev was referred to Dr. Anne Bartel, Interventional Radiologist, at Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Ozaukee where she was diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

PAD affects blood flow to the legs. It occurs when plaque builds up on the inside walls of the arteries. This buildup causes the arteries to narrow or become blocked, which can reduce or block blood flow, causing numbness and pain. The combination of Laev having been a smoker for many years and her petite frame compounded her condition. “I was genetically predisposed to this because I have thin legs, and small veins and arteries to begin with,” she said.

In December 2005, Dr. Bartel surgically inserted a stent in her left leg to open the narrowing artery. Her surgery and follow-up care at Columbia St. Mary’s was caring and conscientious, Laev said. “Once you are diagnosed with PAD you need to be very aware of subtle physical signs and be very good about follow-up because if you have PAD, it may indicate that you have problems elsewhere in the body,” she said. In March 2006 another blockage was detected in the same leg and, subsequently, a stent was inserted.

Because of PAD, Laev was at an increased risk for heart attack and stroke. As part of routine physicals, she performed a stress test every two to three years. “Everything seemed to be fine and I really had no worries or concerns about my heart,” she said. However, one day in November she felt some tightness in her chest. “It just felt funny, like a tightness, not pain. I told my husband, ‘something’s just not right,’” she recalled.

Laev went into the emergency room at Columbia St. Mary’s. She was told she was having a heart attack. She had an 80% blockage in one artery and 90% in the other. “I was very lucky that the blockages were repaired with stents in both arteries and I didn’t have to have open-heart surgery,” she said.

Due to complications from additional stent repair on her left leg immediately following the cardiac surgery, Laev’s left leg began troubling her again. In December, she had an appointment with Dr. Bradley Mays, who Laev credits with saving her leg. “He’s a very talented vascular surgeon,” she said. “I’m so grateful to him for his expertise.”

Mays performed peripheral arterial bypass surgery on Laev within days of her initial appointment. The surgery was successful. Laev, who now is getting adequate blood flow to the foot and leg, looks forward to completing her rehabilitation therapy so she can enjoy a round of golf with her husband this summer.

It was a long, hard year for Laev, but in reflection she is grateful for the outstanding care she received at Columbia St. Mary’s. “It’s such a high caliber of care. From the nursing staff and doctors to the therapists – these are talented, caring people,” she said. “It’s like having members of your own family to advocate for you and look after you. They are very committed and special people. It’s so comforting to know Columbia St. Mary’s is there.”

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