Arterial Interventions

Arterial interventions are minimally invasive procedures performed to improve the flow of blood in the arteries throughout the body. They are usually performed on patients whose arteries have narrowed as a result of certain cardiovascular conditions, such as an aneurysm or coronary artery disease.

For these patients, circulation must be restored by addressing the blockages within the arteries. This can often be done through minimally invasive procedures such as angioplasty and stenting, which improve blood flow to the extremities. These procedures offer a less invasive alternative to traditional forms of surgery.

Angioplasty

In an angioplasty, imaging techniques are used to guide a balloon catheter into the affected artery and direct it to the blocked or narrowed location. The balloon is then inflated to clear the artery and allow blood to easily pass through, before deflating and being slowly removed from the body. Contrast material is injected into the artery during this procedure to help locate the blockage in the artery.

During the angioplasty procedure, patients may experience slight pressure and discomfort when the catheter is inserted and the balloon is inflated. The contrast material can create a warm sensation throughout the body.

After the procedure, patients will be monitored for bleeding or swelling at the catheter site, and should drink plenty of fluids. Heavy lifting and other strenuous activities should be avoided for the first day after the procedure.

Vascular Stenting

During the angioplasty procedure, the surgeon may use a tube called a stent to help the narrowed artery remain open after the catheter has been removed. A stent is a small wire mesh tube that is placed in an opened blood vessel that has just been cleared of a blockage or other abnormality. The stent supports the walls of the artery in order to maintain improved blood flow after the procedure.

Over time, the tissue of the artery will grow over the stent so that blood flows through the natural walls.