Peripheral Artery Angioplasty Treatment

What is a peripheral artery angioplasty treatment?

Peripheral artery angioplasty is a minimally invasive outpatient treatment for peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This procedure opens your narrowed or blocked artery, improves blood flow in your legs, and eases your PAD symptoms. 

When would I need a peripheral artery angioplasty treatment?

The  team at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, may recommend peripheral artery angioplasty if you have troublesome PAD symptoms such as: 

• Claudication (leg pain during exercise)
• Non-healing wounds on your legs, feet, or ankles
• Leg discoloration
• Chronic cold legs or feet

Peripheral artery angioplasty treatment can significantly improve your quality of life and wellness while reducing your risk of complications like limb loss. By having a peripheral artery angioplasty procedure now, you may be able to avoid bypass surgery later.

How does peripheral artery angioplasty treatment work?

In a peripheral artery angioplasty treatment, your surgeon accesses your femoral artery through a groin area incision. You’ll receive anesthesia and won’t experience any discomfort during the procedure. 

Your surgeon uses X-ray guidance to locate the diseased part of your artery (the narrowed or blocked area). They guide a flexible wire into the correct location and then place a catheter with a tiny deflated balloon into your artery. 

Your surgeon inflates the balloon, compressing the plaque that’s currently clogging your artery and widening the blood vessel. Then, your surgeon deflates and withdraws the balloon catheter. 

In some cases, your surgeon might place a stent, a mesh-like tube that keeps your artery open, as well. A stent can also control the compressed plaque, discouraging pieces from breaking loose and entering your bloodstream.

What happens after a peripheral artery angioplasty treatment? 

Your surgeon at Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, gives you specific recovery guidelines following your procedure. Usually, the surgeons recommend a gradual increase in activity, walking a bit more every day. 

As you recover, you’ll notice that you can walk for much longer without pain. 

It’s vital to follow your surgeon’s recommendations to prevent your artery from narrowing or closing again. This generally means eating a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, and sometimes taking medications to control your cholesterol. 

A peripheral artery angioplasty treatment can help you get back to an active life and walking without pain. Book your appointment by calling Vascular Surgery Associates, LLC, or scheduling online today.