Peripheral Angioplasty

What is peripheral angioplasty?

Peripheral angioplasty treats peripheral artery disease (PAD). The cardiologists at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona perform the surgical procedure to open up narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs or arms.

PAD is a common circulatory problem that limits blood flow to your extremities because of a buildup of plaque along the blood vessel wall. Without enough nutrient-rich blood, you may be at risk of developing critical limb ischemia or tissue death that requires limb amputation.

Though PAD doesn’t always cause symptoms, if you have leg pain when walking or climbing that goes away at rest, you may have PAD. This symptom is known as claudication.

Am I a candidate for peripheral angioplasty?

Schedule an evaluation at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona to see if you’re a candidate for peripheral angioplasty. 

Though the team initially takes a conservative approach to care, they may recommend the procedure if you have severe blockages or narrowing in your peripheral arteries or claudication. 

What happens during peripheral angioplasty?

Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona perform peripheral angioplasty and stents at the hospital under sedation. 

Your provider makes a small incision in the groin area, inserts a catheter into an artery, and administers dye to find the site of the narrowing. 

Once your provider locates the blocked or narrowed artery, they guide a balloon-tipped catheter to the area and perform the angioplasty. During the angioplasty, your provider inflates the balloon, flattening the plaque against the blood vessel wall and opening the passageway. 

What are stents?

Stents are medical devices the team at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona uses to keep the blood vessel open after performing an angioplasty. 

In addition to supporting blood flow, the stent may prevent small pieces of plaque from breaking free and causing other problems like the formation of blood clots.

What happens after peripheral angioplasty and stents?

After your peripheral angioplasty and stents, you need to spend the night in the hospital for monitoring. When discharged home, the team requests you continue to take it easy for the next two days. 

Though a peripheral angioplasty and stenting restores blood flow in your blocked arteries, the team recommends you take steps to prevent further buildup in other veins. These may include eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and smoking cessation. 

The experts at Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona may also treat any underlying health condition that may contribute to your PAD, such as medication for high blood pressure or high cholesterol. 

Call Affiliated Cardiologists of Arizona or schedule a consultation online to see if a peripheral angioplasty and stents are right for you.