What Is It?
Angioplasty, with or without vascular stenting, is commonly used to treat conditions that involve a narrowing or blockage of arteries or veins throughout the body, including:
- Atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries due to plaque
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD), or narrowing of the arteries
- Renal vascular hypertension—high blood pressure caused by the narrowing of kidney arteries
How is the Procedure Performed?
Angioplasty and vascular stenting help improve blood flow in arteries and veins. In both treatments, our radiologists use imaging to guide a catheter (a long, thin plastic tube) into an artery or vein and advance it to the problematic area—a narrowing or blockage that is limiting blood flow.
During an angioplasty, a balloon is inflated to open the blood vessel, then is deflated and removed. Sometimes a stent, a small flexible tube, is permanently placed after angioplasty to help keep the artery or vein open. You may be given a mild sedative to help you relax and remain still during the procedure.
How Do I Prep For The Procedure?
Do not eat or drink anything after midnight (12:00 am) the night before your procedure. You may take medications with a sip of water in the morning. Bring a list of all prescribed medications with you to the procedure. You may be asked to hold diabetic/weight loss medication or blood thinners. You should arrange to have someone take you home after the procedure. In some cases, these procedures are performed in a hospital setting and require a single overnight stay.
What Happens After The Procedure?
Most patients go home the same day. Post-procedure care typically involves medication management, including antiplatelet drugs, and lifestyle modifications such as adopting a heart-healthy diet and engaging in regular exercise. Patients will receive instructions on how to care for the access site and will be scheduled for follow-up appointments to monitor their cardiovascular health. The goal of angioplasty is to improve blood flow to the heart muscle, alleviate symptoms, and enhance overall heart function.
Call To Schedule
1055 Post Road, Suite 150
Fairfield, CT 06824
Fax 203.380.3252
