Blocked Artery Treatment

Angioplasty

A minimally invasive procedure for those with peripheral artery disease that cleans your blocked arteries (usually in the legs) of plaque. As a result, blood will be able to flow much easier.

Plaque builds up in the arteries, which can restrict blood flow and, in certain cases, can be enough to necessitate amputation.

This procedure saves you from amputation.

Regular screenings of PAD can reduce chance of amputation

What happens prior to the angioplasty procedure?

Prior to the procedure, the interventional radiologist will put a tiny tube called a catheter into an artery in your leg or groin.
Then, the IR will put dye through the catheter and, in combination with X-ray pictures, will look for narrowed arteries.
If narrowed arteries are found, then the procedure can begin.

What happens during the angioplasty procedure?

After administering a local anesthetic, the doctor will make a tiny incision in the patient’s skin and then insert a catheter into the artery.

Through this catheter, dye will be released to create X-rays of the area that the doctor is working on.

If they detect any blockages, they will use an angioplasty balloon at the end of their catheter to expand it in order to push aside any fatty deposits that are blocking blood flow.

As soon as the openings are unblocked, a stent may be inserted to hold them open and improve circulation.
By completing this procedure, angioplasty can help reduce pain and discomfort associated with blocked arteries while also reducing possible long-term harm such as heart attack or stroke.