Arteries

Symptoms of PAD may vary depending upon severity and location of the blockage, but most commonly present as:

• Pain, cramping, or fatigue in the muscle of the legs or buttocks during physical activity. This pain subsides with rest and returns when the activity resumes.
• Some individuals with PAD may experience numbness, weakness, or a tingling sensation in the affected limb, particularly in the legs or feet.
• The affected limb may feel cold to the touch and skin may appear pale or blueish.
• Due to reduced blood flow, wounds or ulcers on the legs or feet may heal slowly or not at all.
• Weak or absent pulses in the affected limb.
• Erectile dysfunction due to reduced blood flow to the genital area.

Procedure options for peripheral artery disease (PAD) depend on the severity of the condition, but often involve:

• Lifestyle modifications, such as quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and adopting a healthy diet.
• Medications may be prescribed to manage symptoms, lower cholesterol, control blood pressure, or prevent blood clots.
• Minimally invasive options such as angioplasty or stenting may be needed to improve blood flow
• In some cases surgery may be necessary to restore blood flow

An angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat blocked arteries. A thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel through a small incision in the groin or wrist. From there the catheter is carefully guided through the blood vessels until it reaches the site of the blockage.

Once the catheter is in position, a small balloon is attached to the tip of the catheter and inflated. The inflation of the balloon creates pressure against the plaque or blockage, compressing it against the artery walls and widening the artery. This process is known as balloon angioplasty.

The inflation of the balloon may be repeated several times to fully open the blocked or narrowed artery. The highly skilled interventionalists at Clarity Care may also use a technique called atherectomy in which a device is used to remove the plaque or blockage from the artery.

In some cases, a stent may be placed during an angioplasty procedure. A stent is a small mesh tube that is inserted into the artery to help keep it open. The stent is typically placed at the site of the blockage after the balloon angioplasty, and it remains in place permanently, providing support to the artery and preventing it from narrowing again.

Following the procedure, the catheter is removed, and pressure is applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding. The patient is usually monitored for a few hours before being discharged.

If you have a narrowing or blockage within your arteries and are experiencing symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD), you may be a candidate for angioplasty. Consult with the experienced healthcare providers at Clarity Care to determine the best course of procedure for your individual needs.

Yes, angioplasties can improve blood flow and relieve symptoms associated with reduced blood flows. As it relates to peripheral artery disease (PAD), angioplasty has been shown to be effective in terms of improving walking distance, reducing pain, and enhancing overall quality of life for many individuals.

The effectiveness can vary depending on several factors, including the severity and location of the blockage, the overall health of the individual, and their response to the procedure. In some cases, the artery can narrow or become blocked again over time, requiring additional procedure or interventions.

Angioplasty is also typically recommended as part of an overall procedure plan for PAD, which may include medication, lifestyle modifications, and medical management.

While considered a generally safe procedure, there is a low possibility of risks when it comes to angioplasty, including bleeding at the catheter site, artery damage, blood clots, restenosis (in which the artery narrows again over time and may require multiple procedures), allergic reaction, kidney damage from contrast dye (especially in those with existing kidney problems), and rarely, infection.

During a visceral angiography, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel, usually through the groin or wrist. The catheter is then carefully guided to the targeted blood vessel using X-ray guidance. Contrast dye is injected through the catheter to make the blood vessels more visible on X-ray images. The images obtained can help diagnose various conditions, such as arterial blockages, aneurysms, or abnormalities in the blood vessels.

Visceral interventions also known as visceral angioplasty or visceral stenting, are minimally invasive procedures performed during the visceral angiography to treat certain conditions found. These interventions are used to improve blood flow to the affected organs, by opening the blocked or narrowed blood vessels.

Visceral interventions can include:

• Angioplasty: In this procedure, a small balloon attached to a catheter is inflated to widen a narrowed or blocked blood vessel. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the blood vessel open.
• Stenting: A stent, which is a small, mesh-like tube, may be placed in the narrowed or blocked blood vessel to help keep it open. The stent is inserted using a catheter, and once in position, it expands to provide support and maintain blood flow.
• Embolization: This procedure involves intentionally blocking off a blood vessel to stop bleeding or reduce blood flow to a specific area, such as in the case of a tumor or abnormal blood vessel growth.

Visceral angiography and visceral interventions are performed by an interventional cardiologist. Less invasive than traditional open surgery, these procedures require shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and fewer complications for many patients.

Individuals who have suspected or confirmed conditions affecting the blood vessels supplying the internal organs are potential candidates for visceral angiography and visceral interventions. Some common conditions that may warrant these procedures include:

• Arterial blockages: When there is a narrowing or blockage in the arteries supplying the organs, it can lead to reduced blood flow and organ damage.
• Aneurysm: An aneurysm is a weak and bulging area in the wall of a blood vessel. If left untreated, it can cause life-threatening bleeding.
• Vascular tumors: Some tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma (liver cancer) or renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer), may have an abnormal blood supply.
• Gastrointestinal bleeding: Visceral angiography can be used to identify the source of gastrointestinal bleeding when other diagnostic methods have been ineffective.
• Organ transplants: Used before or after an organ transplant, visceral angiography can identify issues that may require intervention.

Visceral angiography and visceral interventions are very effective at diagnosing and treating conditions affecting the blood vessels supplying internal organs.

Like any medical procedure, visceral angiography and visceral interventions carry some risk. These risks can vary depending on factors such as the specific condition being treated and the patient's overall health. Potential risks and complications include allergic reaction, bleeding and hematoma, infection at the surgical site vascular injury, kidney damage, and very rarely, stroke or embolism.

As always, it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of procedure with the highly trained healthcare providers at Clarity Care who specialize in vascular conditions. They can help you weigh the risks against the benefits and determine the most appropriate procedure approach for your individual needs