Peripheral Vascular Angioplasty

Angioplasty is also referred to as percutaneous transluminal angioplasty or PTA and is used to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels. Angioplasty can be done in many different parts of the body. When done in the arms or legs, it is considered to be a “peripheral” vascular angioplasty.

A catheter (a thin flexible tube) is inserted into a small incision in the arm or groin and advanced to the area of the blockage. A balloon is attached to the end of the catheter and is inflated into the blockage to open the vein. Depending on the severity of the blockage, a mesh stent may be placed in the vein to prevent restenosis (repeat narrowing or blockage), although they are not commonly used in the smaller leg arteries as they are more prone to trauma. The balloon is deflated after the plaque and fat are pressed against the wall of the vein, and the catheter is removed.

Pressure is applied to the incision area to prevent bleeding. If the groin was used as the access point, the patient will need to lie still with your leg straight for several hours.

Opening blocked arteries allow better flow of oxygen-rich blood to the tissue and muscles.