Patient Health InfoPercutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is a non-surgical technique most commonly used to treat atherosclerotic disease in the leg arteries.
Preparation
After you and your physician have discussed the procedure, you will be asked to sign a consent form. Please read it carefully and ask any questions you have.
You may be admitted to the hospital the night before your procedure, but your physician may also choose to admit you two or three hours before your procedure. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the procedure.
An intravenous needle will be placed in your arm. Blood may be drawn for laboratory tests, a chest x-ray and electrocardiogram will be taken and you will receive medication to help you relax. You will be taken to a special procedures room or the catheterization laboratory.
The Procedure
The length of time required to perform a PTA procedure varies. You will be awake, but sedated and comfortable. The cardiologist and catheterization lab staff will explain each step of the procedure. If you have questions at any time, please ask.
The area of insertion will be scrubbed. You will be covered with sterile sheets and the groin area will be numbed with a local anesthetic.
The cardiologist will place an introducer into a blood vessel from a site in your groin area. The guide catheter passes through the introducer to the affected artery. A deflated balloon catheter will be inserted through the guide catheter to the point of the blockage. You will feel pressure during this portion of the procedure.
The balloon will be slowly inflated and deflated. As the balloon inflates to push the blockage against the artery wall, the blood flow will be temporarily blocked. This portion of the procedure may be painful. As the balloon deflates, the pain should subside. If it continues, please tell the cardiologist, nurse or technician.
When the artery appears to have been successfully opened, the balloon catheter will be removed and a contrast solution injected into the guide catheter. This allows the cardiologist to determine whether the blockage has been reduced. If the blood flow is restored, the procedure is considered a success.
Following the Procedure
The catheters will be removed and direct pressure applied to the area until the bleeding has stopped. You will be asked to lie flat for about four hours. A dressing will be applied to the insertion site.
In most cases, you will be allowed to return home the following day. You may continue to have a bruise, swelling and tenderness around the insertion site. Do not lift anything over 10 pounds for a week after the procedure.