Arnold's Story

Balloon cryoplasty was the tight procedure

After three failed angioplasties, Arnold Levy was told his only choice was major bypass surgery to correct the artery blockages in his leg. Arnold was not getting good blood flow to his feet because his blood vessels were clogged by fatty deposits known as plaque. He had severe leg pain, stiffness, and trouble walking. At 64 years old and as the sales manager of a car dealership, he wanted to avoid surgery and the four- to six-week recovery time. 

Arnold was hoping for another option, and he found one at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. “I had heard about Newton-Wellesley Hospital’s outstanding vascular surgery program, so I thought I would schedule an appointment and see what procedures they might be offering,” Arnold said.

Advanced Vascuar Surgery Care

Under the direction of Christopher Kwolek, MD, Chair, Department of Surgery, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, the hospital provides access to highly regarded vascular surgeons and advanced surgical facilities to offer world-class vascular surgery. “When I met with Dr. Kwolek, he immediately gave me hope that there were other options besides major surgery,” Arnold said. “He gave me peace of mind and said there were a number of treatments he could try before surgery.”

As an alternative, Dr. Kwolek was able to use balloon cryoplasty, a minimally invasive treatment that opens clogged blood vessels. By working through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter inserted into the groin, the surgeon inserts a small balloon into the blocked blood vessel. The surgeon then fills the balloon with nitrous oxide, which turns into a gas that freezes the plaque in the artery and opens the blockage. Surgical techniques such as cryoplasty result in less trauma, shorten hospital stays, and, in many cases, are done as outpatient procedures. 

After the procedure, Dr. Kwolek was able to delay the need for Arnold to have bypass surgery by using stents to create almost 100 percent blood flow in Arnold’s leg. “This minimally invasive procedure allowed Mr. Levy to maintain his lifestyle and continue working and providing for his family,” Dr. Kwolek said.

After his procedure, Arnold is back on his feet. “I work at a busy car dealership and am constantly on the go. Before I met with Dr. Kwolek, the pain was really affecting my day-to-day activities,” Arnold said. “Now I no longer have stiffness and pain. I have been able to return to work. Nothing can slow me down.”