Angioplasty: Procedure, Indications, and What to Expect
Angioplasty (percutaneous transluminal angioplasty, PTA) is a minimally invasive procedure to widen narrowed or blocked arteries or veins using a balloon-tipped catheter.
Procedure Steps
- Access via femoral, radial, or brachial artery under local anesthesia.
- Guidewire advanced across the lesion under fluoroscopy.
- Balloon catheter positioned and inflated to compress plaque and expand the vessel.
- Often followed by stent placement to maintain patency.
- Balloon deflated and removed; hemostasis achieved.
Common Indications
- Coronary artery disease (angina, MI)
- Peripheral artery disease (claudication, critical limb ischemia)
- Carotid artery stenosis (stroke prevention)
- Renal artery stenosis (refractory hypertension)
- Dialysis access stenosis
Risks & Recovery
Risks: bleeding, dissection, restenosis, stroke, contrast nephropathy. Most patients go home same day or next day; antiplatelet therapy required if stent placed.
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