Peripheral Artery Angioplasty and Stenting

Angioplasty and vascular stenting offer minimally invasive solutions for addressing peripheral artery disease (PAD) and other vascular occlusions. Our skilled team of cardiologists at HeartCare Texas uses state-of-the-art techniques and equipment to ensure the best outcomes for our patients.

What is peripheral angioplasty?

Peripheral angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open blocked or narrowed arteries outside of the heart, typically in the legs or arms. During the procedure, a catheter with a small balloon at its tip is inserted into the affected artery. The balloon is inflated to compress the plaque buildup against the artery walls, restoring blood flow.

What is peripheral stenting?

Peripheral stenting is often performed along with angioplasty. A stent, a small mesh tube, is inserted into the artery to help keep it open after angioplasty. The stent acts as a scaffold, preventing the artery from collapsing or becoming blocked again. It is used to potentially prevent the need for more extensive surgical interventions like bypass surgery.

Why may you need stenting and angioplasty?

Some symptoms of peripheral artery disease include chronic pain, heaviness in the legs, and unhealed wounds. To alleviate these symptoms, cardiologists may recommend angioplasty as a medical intervention. These symptoms are:

• Muscle pain caused by tissue damage
• Skin wounds or ulcers that do not heal quickly
• Pain even at rest due to narrowing of the arteries
• The risks associated with angioplasty

Although a minimally-invasive procedure, angioplasty has these risks associated with it:

• Allergic reaction to the dye or mediation
• Bruising where the catheter was inserted
• Bleeding or clotting
• Damage to the blood vessel or nerve
• Blood vessel rupture
• Heart attack
• Kidney problems
   

Peripheral angioplasty and stenting at HeartCare Texas

Preparing for the angioplasty procedure

At HeartCare Texas, our experienced cardiologists perform peripheral artery angioplasty and stenting procedures with precision and expertise. Our cardiologists recommend the following to patients as precautions for the procedure:

• Refrain from smoking
• Adjust or stop certain medications like aspirin, blood thinners, etc.
• Refrain from eating and drinking six to eight hours prior to the procedure
• You will have blood tests and general health check-ups
• You may also need an angiogram before the angioplasty to see inside the arteries and look at the area of blockages
• Tell your provider if you have a pacemaker or other implantable devices
• Make sure to discuss the medicines you take with your physician
• Inform the physician about illnesses such as flu, fever, etc. 
   

How the procedure works

• We begin by inserting a catheter (a flexible tube) into the blocked artery through a small incision in your groin.
• Using X-rays for precise guidance, we carefully navigate the catheter to the area of the blockage.
• Once the catheter is in place, a wire is threaded through it to reach the blockage.
• A balloon catheter is then advanced over the wire to the site of the blockage.
• The balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated, which opens the blocked vessel and restores proper blood flow to the affected area.
• To prevent the artery from closing again, a stent is usually placed at the site. The stent acts as a scaffold, keeping the vessel open.
   

Using advanced imaging techniques and minimally invasive approaches, we strive to restore blood flow to the affected limbs while minimizing discomfort and recovery time for our patients.

If you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral artery disease or have been diagnosed with a peripheral artery blockage, schedule a consultation with one of our skilled cardiologists today to discuss your treatment options.