Dr. David Rosenthal, chief of vascular surgery at Atlanta Medical Center, knows how difficult life can be for patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease (PVD). A former world-class swimmer, Dr. Rosenthal loves all kinds of activities and adventures; he’s even competed in the Ironman Triathlon. “PVD sufferers are prevented from enjoying even the simplest activities,” he says. “Some of my patients can barely walk.” The traditional treatment of PVD can involve major surgery with significant hospitalization and recovery time. “There’s a huge opportunity to provide patients with new, less-invasive treatments for PVD that will also be effective and durable,” Dr. Rosenthal says. “What a difference that would make in these patients’ lives.” A significant clinical opportunity exists in treating patients with occlusive peripheral vascular disease (PVD) using minimally invasive approaches. Traditionally, clinicians have improved circulation in peripheral vessels through medication therapy or  by using balloon-based embolectomy devices to remove clots. A newer and very promising approach involves inserting peripheral stents, or tiny mesh tubes, into restricted vessels through a catheter-based delivery device to keep the vessels open and thereby restore blood flow. Edwards, which helped pioneer early vascular treatments with its embolectomy products, is now focused on developing both balloon- and self-expanding peripheral stents. Recently, we acquired the exclusive rights to Orbus Medical Technologies Inc.’s differentiated non-coronary stent technologies for treating PVD. We also entered into a product development agreement with Syntheon LLC, whose design, engineering and manufacturing support will help accelerate the commercialization of these peripheral stents. We expect to have a broad peripheral stent product offering available for global release in mid- 2003 . DEVELOPING PERIPHERAL STENTS David Surgeon, Athlete, Adventurer