PAD is a Challenge —
Not a Life Sentence
PAD is a Challenge — Not a Life Sentence
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to your legs and feet.
It develops over time as plaque or calcium builds up within the peripheral arteries, making them less flexible.
This limits blood flow to the limbs and can lead to leg pain, wounds that don’t heal, and in severe cases, limb-threatening complications.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to your legs and feet.
It develops over time as plaque or calcium builds up within the peripheral arteries, making them less flexible.
This limits blood flow to the limbs and can lead to leg pain, wounds that don’t heal, and in severe cases, limb-threatening complications.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the narrowing or blockage of the vessels that carry blood from the heart to your legs and feet.
It develops over time as plaque or calcium builds up within the peripheral arteries, making them less flexible.
This limits blood flow to the limbs and can lead to leg pain, wounds that don’t heal, and in severe cases, limb-threatening complications.
Not All Calcium Is the Same
Calcium in the arteries can appear in different shapes and distributions. Each pattern affects how blood flows and influences treatment options.
Concentric Calcium
Forms a uniform ring that encircles the entire inner wall of the artery. This symmetrical pattern narrows the vessel fairly evenly and is typically associated with more stable, gradually progressing disease.
Eccentric Calcium
Builds up unevenly, with heavier deposits concentrated on one side of the artery wall. This asymmetrical pattern is often linked to unstable plaque and may complicate treatment due to the irregular distribution.
Nodular Calcium
Appears as irregular, protruding deposits in the artery’s inner channel. These sharp, rock-like nodules can disrupt blood flow and are often linked to unstable plaque, complicating both diagnosis and treatment.
You Have Different Treatment Options
You Have Different Treatment Options
To treat PAD, blood flow needs to be restored using specialized tools that can break through hardened plaque.
Traditional approaches include balloon angioplasty, which uses inflation pressure to open narrowed arteries. In more difficult cases, atherectomy may be used to mechanically shave down calcium using rotating or grinding devices.
More recently, intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has emerged as a novel approach to fracture calcium. IVL delivers energy through a balloon catheter, creating controlled cracks in the calcium while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue.
To treat PAD, blood flow needs to be restored using specialized tools that can break through hardened plaque.
Traditional approaches include balloon angioplasty, which uses inflation pressure to open narrowed arteries. In more difficult cases, atherectomy may be used to mechanically shave down calcium using rotating or grinding devices.
More recently, intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has emerged as a novel approach to fracture calcium. IVL delivers energy through a balloon catheter, creating controlled cracks in the calcium while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue.
Treatment Option
Treatment Option
Concentric Calcium
Concentric Calcium
Eccentric Calcium
Eccentric Calcium
Nodular Calcium
Nodular Calcium
Efficacy
Efficacy
Balloon Angioplasty
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Limited
Sometimes
Sometimes
Rarely effective
Rarely effective
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Can help shave down
May work, but higher risk
May work, but higher risk
Less effective for this calcium
Less effective for this calcium
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy
(IVL)
Intravascular Lithotripsy
(IVL)
Very effective
Very effective
Can be effective
Can be effective
Can be effective
Can be effective
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
You Have Different Treatment Options
To treat PAD, blood flow needs to be restored using specialized tools that can break through hardened plaque.
Traditional approaches include balloon angioplasty, which uses inflation pressure to open narrowed arteries. In more difficult cases, atherectomy may be used to mechanically shave down calcium using rotating or grinding devices.
More recently, intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) has emerged as a novel approach to fracture calcium. IVL delivers energy through a balloon catheter, creating controlled cracks in the calcium while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissue.
Treatment Option
Concentric Calcium
Eccentric Calcium
Nodular Calcium
Efficacy
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Sometimes
Rarely effective
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
May work, but higher risk
Less effective for this calcium
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy
(IVL)
Very effective
Can be effective
Can be effective
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Concentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Limited
Atherectomy
Can help shave down
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Very effective
Eccentric Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Sometimes
Atherectomy
May work, but higher risk
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Nodular Calcium
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
Rarely effective
Atherectomy
Less effective for this calcium
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Can be effective
Efficacy
Treatment Options
Balloon Angioplasty
May stretch vessel or injure healthy tissue
Atherectomy
May cut into healthy vessel or cause debris
Intravascular Lithotripsy (IVL)
Fractures calcium while sparing healthy tissue
Pros and Cons of First-Generation IVL
This early form of IVL introduced a new way to treat calcified arteries using acoustic pressure waves to fracture calcium within the vessel wall.
It offered more controlled calcium modification than methods like balloon angioplasty and atherectomy with less risk to surrounding soft tissue. The technology proved especially effective in cases of circumferential or deeply embedded calcium.
However, the design of first-generation IVL narrowly disperses energy within the vessel.
The resulting lack of precision can minimize its effectiveness and may compromise outcomes for eccentric or nodular calcific lesions.
Narrow therapy coverage with first-generation IVL
Pros and Cons of First-Generation IVL
This early form of IVL introduced a new way to treat calcified arteries using acoustic pressure waves to fracture calcium within the vessel wall.
It offered more controlled calcium modification than methods like balloon angioplasty and atherectomy with less risk to surrounding soft tissue. The technology proved especially effective in cases of circumferential or deeply embedded calcium.
However, the design of first-generation IVL narrowly disperses energy within the vessel.
The resulting lack of precision can minimize its effectiveness and may compromise outcomes for eccentric or nodular calcific lesions.
Narrow therapy coverage with first-generation IVL
FastWave is Empowering Physicians with Advanced IVL Technology
Our focus is clear: build upon the established success of IVL technology to enable interventionalists to deliver improved treatments and better outcomes for their patients.
Energy Delivery
Pressure waves fire from fixed points resulting in less predictable energy coverage
Uniform pressure waves that cover the artery evenly
Speed of Treatment
Few pulses at slower frequency (1-2 Hz) result in longer procedures
Few pulses at slower frequency
(1-2 Hz) result in longer procedures
More pulses at faster frequency (4 Hz)
More pulses at faster frequency
(4 Hz)
Balloon Design
Single-layer design leads to rupture risk
Dual-layer and rupture-resistant
Artero™ produces uniform, 360-degree pressure waves across a full 30-pulse cycle, ensuring even energy coverage along and around the diseased vessel.
The system’s frequency capacity enables therapy that is up to twice as fast as previous IVL systems — helping physicians treat their patients more efficiently.
The result is a more predictable and complete approach to calcium modification, especially in long, diffuse, or heavily calcified lesions common in PAD.
Broad therapy delivery with FastWave Artero™
FastWave is Empowering Physicians with Advanced IVL Technology
Our focus is clear: build upon the established success of IVL technology to enable interventionalists to deliver improved treatments and better outcomes for their patients.
Energy Delivery
Pressure waves fire from fixed points resulting in less predictable energy coverage
Uniform pressure waves that cover the artery evenly
Speed of Treatment
Few pulses at slower frequency (1-2 Hz) result in longer procedures
More pulses at faster frequency (4 Hz)
Balloon Design
Single-layer design leads to rupture risk
Dual-layer and rupture-resistant
Artero™ produces uniform, 360-degree pressure waves across a full 30-pulse cycle, ensuring even energy coverage along and around the diseased vessel.
The system’s frequency capacity enables therapy that is up to twice as fast as previous IVL systems — helping physicians treat their patients more efficiently.
The result is a more predictable and complete approach to calcium modification, especially in long, diffuse, or heavily calcified lesions common in PAD.
Broad therapy delivery with FastWave Artero™
Learn How You Can Take Part in Our IVL Trial
FastWave Medical is currently enrolling patients in the SPARC trial, a prospective, multi-center, single-arm clinical investigation evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Artero™ IVL system in patients diagnosed with PAD who have moderate to severe calcium.
Enrolled patients will receive treatment with the minimally-invasive Artero™ IVL system during an outpatient procedure.
If you answer yes to the questions below and are interested in participating in the trial, please complete the form to the right.
Have you been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
Has your doctor told you that you have calcium buildup in the arteries of your leg(s)?
Do you continue to experience leg pain, fatigue, or trouble walking despite standard treatments?
Are you at least 18 years old and willing to take part in a clinical trial?
Learn How You Can Take Part in Our IVL Trial
FastWave Medical is currently enrolling patients in the SPARC trial, a prospective, multi-center, single-arm clinical investigation evaluating the safety and effectiveness of the Artero™ IVL system in patients diagnosed with PAD who have moderate to severe calcium.
Enrolled patients will receive treatment with the minimally-invasive Artero™ IVL system during an outpatient procedure.
If you answer yes to the questions below and are interested in participating in the trial, please complete the form to the right.
Have you been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD)?
Has your doctor told you that you have calcium buildup in the arteries of your leg(s)?
Do you continue to experience leg pain, fatigue, or trouble walking despite standard treatments?
Are you at least 18 years old and willing to take part in a clinical trial?
Follow FastWave's Journey
Next-level intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) devices for calcific artery disease.
© 2025 FastWave Medical Inc.
FastWave Medical is developing devices limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. To see FastWave’s patents, click here.
Follow FastWave's Journey
Next-level intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) devices for calcific artery disease.
© 2025 FastWave Medical Inc.
FastWave Medical is developing devices limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. To see FastWave’s patents, click here.
Follow FastWave's Journey
Next-level intravascular lithotripsy (IVL) devices for calcific artery disease.
© 2025 FastWave Medical Inc.
FastWave Medical is developing devices limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. To see FastWave’s patents, click here.
