PERIPHERAL ANGIOPLASTY
ANGIOPLASTY OF THE LOWER LIMBS
The vascular access is the same as for the initial peripheral angiography, namely the femoral artery.
The principle of this procedure is identical to that of coronary angioplasty (link). Large balloons are positioned in the narrowed area and inflated in order to flatten the atheroma in the artery walls. In most cases, a small metallic mesh tube (stent) is positioned in order to keep the narrowed area open and help restore adequate flow which will improve the symptoms. The results of this procedure are monitored and followed by means of regular echo-doppler tests.
In the presence of a complete occlusion of an artery, the procedure takes longer because the diseased segment must be crossed. In cases where the occlusion cannot be crossed, a surgical bypass may be considered. In cases where the occlusion is successfully crossed, the diseased segment is dilated with a balloon of appropriate size and a stent may be positioned to keep the arterial segment open.
