Balloon Angioplasty
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
Balloon angioplasty is done in the catheterisation laboratory (“cath lab”). The doctor injects a special dye through a small, thin tube called a catheter into your bloodstream. The dye allows the doctor to view your arteries on an X-ray monitor. A device with a small balloon on its tip is then inserted through an artery in your leg or arm and threaded through the arteries until it reaches the narrowed area. The balloon is inflated to flatten the plaque against the wall of the artery, opening the artery and restoring blood flow. Then the balloon is deflated and removed from the body.
Benefits:
Aims to reduce narrowing of the artery which helps improve blood flow.
Risks:
- The insertion site may bleed or become infected.
- The artery may become blocked again (restenosis).
- The artery may tear (artery dissection).
- The artery may develop a hole (artery perforation).
UC201503768a EN