What is a peripheral artery angioplasty?

Peripheral artery angioplasty (say "puh-RIFF-er-rull AR-ter-ree ANN-jee-oh-plass-tee") is a procedure to help blood flow better. The procedure widens or opens narrowed or blocked arteries, typically in the pelvis or legs. This may help with leg pain or help wounds heal better.

Your arteries can get narrowed by a substance called plaque. Plaque is a buildup of fats in your arteries.

You may be asleep for the procedure. Or you may be awake. You will get medicine to prevent pain and help you relax (anesthesia). First, your doctor will do a test to find narrowed arteries. Your doctor will put a tiny tube into an artery in your groin or wrist. This tube is called a catheter. The doctor moves the catheter through the artery and puts a dye into it. The dye makes your arteries show up on X-ray pictures. This lets the doctor see any narrowed parts of the arteries.

If your doctor finds a narrowed artery, they may do an angioplasty. To do this, the doctor uses a catheter with a balloon at the tip. It goes into the artery in your groin or leg. The doctor moves the balloon to the narrowed area and inflates it. The balloon presses the plaque against the walls of the artery. This makes more room for blood to flow. The doctor may also put a stent in your artery. A stent is a small tube that helps keep the artery open.

You may go home the same day. Or you may spend the night in the hospital. For 1 or 2 days after the procedure, you will need to take it easy at home.

What happens on the day of the procedure?

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  Follow the instructions exactly about when to stop eating and drinking. If you don't, your procedure may be cancelled. If your doctor told you to take your medicines on the day of the procedure, take them with only a sip of water.
• Take a bath or shower before you come in for your procedure. Do not apply lotions, perfumes, deodorants, or nail polish.
• Take off all jewellery and piercings. And take out contact lenses, if you wear them.

At the hospital

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  Bring a picture ID.
• You will be kept comfortable and safe by your healthcare provider. You may be asleep. Or you may get medicine that relaxes you or puts you in a light sleep. The area being worked on will be numb.
• The procedure may take about 1½ to 3 hours.
• After the procedure, pressure may be applied to the area where the catheter was put in your blood vessel. This will help prevent bleeding. A small device may also be used to close the blood vessel. The area may be covered with a bandage or a compression device.
• Nurses will check your heart rate and blood pressure. The nurse will also check the catheter site for bleeding.
• If the catheter was put in your groin, you will need to lie still and keep your leg straight for up to a few hours. The nurse may put a weighted bag on your leg to keep it still.
• If the catheter was put in your wrist, you may be able to sit up right away. But you may need to keep your arm still for at least 2 hours.
• You may have a bruise or a small lump where the catheter was put in your blood vessel. This is normal and will go away.