Angioplasty Specialist

What is an angioplasty?

An angioplasty, or balloon angioplasty, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that opens blocked or narrowed blood vessels to improve blood flow and circulation. 

University Vascular may perform the procedure instead of traditional open bypass surgery so get the care you need with less surgical risk. The leaders in vascular surgery may also perform stent and atherectomy procedures to re-establish blood flow. 

With stenting, they place a metal mesh at the site of your narrowed blood vessel to keep it open. During an atherectomy, they remove plaque from the blood vessel. 

University Vascular may perform an angioplasty as a stand-alone procedure or combine it with the other procedures to get the best results. 

What conditions benefit from an angioplasty?

University Vascular performs angioplasty to improve blood flow through an artery that is blocked or narrowed due to atherosclerosis — a buildup of plaque along the blood vessel wall. 

Conditions that may benefit from angioplasty include peripheral artery disease or carotid artery disease. 

They also perform angioplasty to treat blocked veins, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). 

What happens during an angioplasty?

University Vascular performs angioplasty as an outpatient procedure. During the procedure, your surgeon makes a small arterial puncture and inserts a catheter with a balloon tip.

Using X-ray guidance, your surgeon advances the catheter to the site of the blockage and inflates the balloon. The balloon opens the passageway to restore blood flow. 

Once your surgeon completes your procedure, you should be able to go home right away without the need for pain medication.

What happens after an angioplasty?

University Vascular provides specific at-home care instructions to support a fast recovery. Your surgeon may advise that you lie in bed with your legs straight for several hours after your angioplasty. 

You also need to avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity for a set period of time. However, you should be able to resume your usual activities, including going back to work, within a few days after an angioplasty.

Depending on the severity of your condition, University Vascular may perform a follow-up balloon angioplasty to get the ideal dilation of the diseased vessel. 

An angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that improves circulation to prevent more serious health complications. Call University Vascular or book a consultation online today to learn more.