200
+
million
people are affected by PAD globally.
Criqui MH, et al. (2015) / Fowkes FG et al. (2013)
Life Openers™
Transforming the story of Peripheral Artery Disease
Unveiling the unseen crisis, driving better standards,
and honoring those who open lives every day
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) treatment has moved on. Have you?
For years, Plain Old Balloon Angioplasty (POBA) alone was the default choice. But today, the data shows that this mindset leads to more problems than you think. That's why Life Openers are moving forward - and why it's time to rethink your PAD strategy.
At BD, we want to support the evolution towards modern PAD strategyDiscover our Life Openers Toolkit
Let's look at the burden of pad
The unseen crisis
PAD
is underdiagnosed and undertreated.
Olinic DM et al. (2018)
44% OF PATIENTS DIED WITHIN 3 YEARS AFTER MAJOR AMPUTATION
Jones WS et al. (2013)
40 MILLION
people suffer from PAD in Europe.
Olinic DM et al. (2018) / Fowkes FG et al. (2013)
PAD awareness is alarmingly low.
20%Aware in Netherlands
36%Aware in Canada
26%Aware in United States
18%Aware in Ireland
Horvath L, et Al. (2022)
Why PAD Demands a new approach
- Unlike other cardiovascular diseases, PAD's global burden is increasing, making it an outlier that demands a rethink in strategy1
- Traditional risk factors (smoking, diabetes, hypertension) explain only part of the burden; many cases remain unexplained, especially in women1
- PAD is not just a "leg problem" - it signals high systemic cardiovascular risk, with elevated rates of heart attack and stroke1
Honoring those who open lives and driving better PAD standards across Europe
BD launched the Life Openers PAD program to support the evolution toward modern strategy, combining technology, hands-on training, clinical evidence, and peer exchange
POBA-Alone isn't enough. Modern vessel preparation is key.
- The old mindset of "just open it" with plain old balloon angioplasty (POBA) often leads to suboptimal outcomes : higher rates of restenosis, vessel dissection, and need for bailout stenting.
- Modern PAD care starts with algorithm-based, lesion-guided approaches - optimizing vessel preparation and tailoring interventions to each patient's needs.
~29% lower target limb-related follow-up costs for DCB - due to reduction in repeat revascularisation procedures.
Traditional approach
- POBA-first
- Reactive Stenting
- High Dissection Risk
- Focus on Opening
Modern approach
- Lesion-Guided
- Targeted Prep + Optimized DCB
- Controlled Luminal Gain
- Focus on Preparing
Our solutions
Technologies like Rotarex™, UltraScore™, Lutonix™, and LifeStent™ enable tailored, effective treatment strategies
BD's commitments
Discover our training videos
Innovative Technology : endovascular solutions for every scenario
Training & Education : simulation labs, workshops, and partnerships
Clinical Evidence : Robust data from trials and real-world studies
Peer exchange : Bringing clinicians together to share insights and drive improvement
Life Openers Story
Dr. Mark Portou Consultant Vascular Surgeon practicing in London
The story of Lucien and Mark
When Lucien first met Consultant Vascular Surgeon Dr. Mark Portou, he was facing major amputation. Standard treatments were no longer enough. With a modern PAD strategy, Mark and his team saved Lucien's leg.
But something else happened too. Along the way, Lucien and Mark built a bond that went beyond the operating room. Their story is about more than PAD – it's a story about life, and about opening it up again.
Related events
27-30 January
LINC 26
Visit us at LINC 2026 and explore our Life Openers toolkit—designed to empower your journey toward a modern, patient-centered PAD strategy.
Sign up to this event
21-23rd April
Join us at Charing Cross 2026 to experience our Life Openers toolkit—a powerful resource designed to support limb preservation and elevate patient outcomes.
Sign up to this event
Summit 2026
The EMEA Peripheral Vascular Disease Summit is coming. Stay tuned for educational updates and highlights from this important gathering.
September 5-9
Join BD at CIRSE 2026, where leading experts in Peripheral Arterial Disease are driving innovation in vessel preparation and redefining patient outcomes.
Sign up to this eventJoin our community and rethink your PAD strategy
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