WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Why do I need peripheral vascular angioplasty? Peripheral vascular angioplasty is surgery to open blocked arteries in your legs. The surgery can help reduce symptoms of poor blood flow, such as pain, numbness, and wounds that will not heal. The surgery may also prevent the need for an amputation of your leg or foot. How do I prepare for the surgery? Your healthcare provider may tell you to take aspirin or another antiplatelet medicine to help prevent blood clots. Take your antiplatelet medicine exactly as directed. This medicine may make it more likely for you to bleed or bruise. If you are told to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead. What will happen during the surgery? - Your surgeon will make an incision in your groin and insert a thin tube called a catheter into one of your arteries. He will inject contrast dye through the catheter. He will use x-rays to help him see the blockage. Your surgeon will then insert a small balloon into your artery. The balloon is inflated to open your blocked artery, and then removed. He may insert one or more stents to hold your artery open.
- After surgery, pressure will be placed on your incision to decrease the risk of bleeding. You will need to lie flat and keep your leg still for 4 to 6 hours. You will then be taken to your hospital room or sent home.
What are the risks of peripheral vascular angioplasty? You may bleed more than expected or get an infection. Nerves or blood vessels could be damaged during the surgery. You may get a blood clot in your leg. The blood clot may become life-threatening. Rarely, surgery could lead to a stroke. |