Treatment Overview
Angioplasty
(also called percutaneous
transluminal angioplasty, or PTA) is a procedure in which a thin, flexible tube
called a catheter is inserted through an artery and guided to the place where
the artery is narrowed.
When the tube reaches the narrowed
artery, a small balloon at the end of the tube inflates for a short time. The pressure from the inflated balloon presses the fat and calcium
(plaque) against the wall of the artery to improve blood flow.
In
angioplasty of the aorta (the major abdominal artery) or the iliac arteries
(which branch off from the aorta), a small, expandable tube called a
stent is usually put in place at the same time.
Reclosure (restenosis) of the artery is less likely to occur if a stent is
used. Stents are less commonly used in angioplasty of
smaller leg arteries like the femoral, popliteal, or tibial arteries, because they are subject to trauma
and damage in these locations.
What To Expect After Treatment
After the procedure, you will rest in
bed for 6 to 8 hours. You may have to stay overnight in the hospital. After
you leave the hospital, you can most likely return to normal activities.
Why It Is Done
This procedure is commonly used to
open narrowed arteries that supply blood flow to the heart. It may be used on
short sections of narrowed arteries in people who have
peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
How Well It Works
Angioplasty can help you walk farther without leg pain than you did before the procedure.1
How well angioplasty works depends on the
size of the blood vessel, the length of blood vessel affected, and whether the
blood vessel is completely blocked. In general:
- People who have angioplasty might be able to walk farther
without leg pain after the procedure. But this benefit might not last more than a few months.1
- Larger arteries in the pelvic area can be
treated successfully most of the time with angioplasty. After 4 to 5 years, the
blood vessel remains open in 60 to 80 out of 100 cases. The outcome may improve
slightly if angioplasty is combined with a stent.2
- Angioplasty is less successful for the smaller
arteries. After 4 to 5 years, the artery may remain open in about 70 out of 100 cases. The outcome may improve slightly if angioplasty is combined with a
stent.2
In general, angioplasty works best in the following types
of arteries:
- Larger arteries.
- Arteries with
short narrowed areas.
- Narrowed, not blocked, arteries.
Risks
Complications related to the catheter include:
- Pain, swelling, and tenderness at the catheter
insertion site.
- Irritation of the vein by the catheter (superficial
thrombophlebitis).
- Bleeding at the catheter site.
- A bruise
where the catheter was inserted. This usually goes away in a few
days.
Serious complications are
rare. These complications may
include:
- Sudden closure of the artery.
- Blood clots.
- A small
tear in the inner lining of the artery.
- An allergic reaction to the contrast material used to view the arteries.
- Kidney damage. In rare cases, the
contrast material can damage the kidneys, possibly causing
kidney failure.
Radiation risk
There is always a slight risk of damage to cells or tissues
from being exposed to any radiation, including the low levels of X-ray used for
this test. But the risk of damage from the X-rays is usually very low
compared with the potential benefits of the test.
What To Think About
In some cases, bypass
surgery may be the best treatment choice. This treatment choice depends on your
risks with the procedure, the size of the arteries, and the number and length
of the blockages or narrowing in the arteries.
Angioplasty may be a less
expensive, safer alternative to surgery in certain cases.
-
Peripheral Arterial Disease: Should I Have Surgery?
Complete the special treatment information form (PDF)(What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this treatment.
References
Citations
-
Cassar K (2011). Peripheral arterial disease, search date May 2010. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
-
Bettmann MA, et al. (2004). Atherosclerotic vascular
disease conference: Writing group VI: Revascularization. Circulation, 109(21): 2643–2650.
Credits
|
By
|
Healthwise Staff |
|
Primary Medical Reviewer
|
Rakesh K. Pai, MD, FACC - Cardiology, Electrophysiology |
|
Specialist Medical Reviewer
|
David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery |
|
Last Revised
|
October 14, 2011 |
Cassar K (2011). Peripheral arterial disease, search date May 2010. Online version of BMJ Clinical Evidence: http://www.clinicalevidence.com.
Bettmann MA, et al. (2004). Atherosclerotic vascular
disease conference: Writing group VI: Revascularization. Circulation, 109(21): 2643–2650.