Peripheral Angiography
Scottsdale, Arizona
EPIC Surgery Center offers peripheral angiography and intervention to diagnose and treat peripheral disease and restore blood flow to the lower extremities. The procedures are catheter-based, allowing for faster recovery times and fewer risks. Expect world-class care at our cardiovascular ambulatory surgery center (ASC), the only one of its kind in the Scottsdale area.
Peripheral Vascular Disease: An Overview
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD), sometimes referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD), is a common circulatory condition in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to areas outside of the brain and heart, such as the limbs, usually the legs and feet.
The most common cause of PAD is the buildup of fatty material inside the blood vessels, a condition known as atherosclerosis or the hardening of arteries. That reduces blood flow to the limbs and decreases oxygen and nutrients available to the tissues. Blood clots may develop on the artery walls, further reducing the internal size of the blood vessels and blocking off major arteries. Other causes of PVD may include injury, irregular anatomy of ligaments or muscles, or infection.
What Are Symptoms of Peripheral Vascular Disease?
The most common symptom of PVD is cramping of the calf muscle with increased activity. Patients also report pain, cold feet, bluish discolorations, leg or hip weakness, and non-healing sores or ulcers, especially on the toes and feet.
Patients sometimes develop "silent" PAD meaning that they show no symptoms. That's because the body creates small arteries to "reroute" blood flow around the affected vessel. Unfortunately, the body can only do so much. Untreated PAD leaves patients at an increased risk of heart attacks or strokes, losing limbs, and mortality from coronary artery disease. So please "Love Your Limbs™." If you experience the above symptoms or you're over 50 years old, talk to your healthcare professional about PAD.
Peripheral Angiography and Vascular Intervention: An Overview
Peripheral angiography is a procedure that allows your doctor to detect any narrowing or blockage in the arteries in your legs. A peripheral angiogram involves inserting a small tube called a catheter through a blood vessel in your arm or groin. With the catheter in place, we'll inject a contrast dye into an artery to visualize blood movement, allowing us to see any narrowed or blocked areas.
Areas of narrowing or blockage in an artery can be treated with angioplasty and stent placement.
Peripheral Balloon Angioplasty: We will insert a catheter with a tiny, folded balloon on its tip into the artery. Once we reach the narrowed or blocked artery, we will inflate the balloon, opening the artery. At times, the balloons we insert are coated with special medications to prevent new blockages. The last step in the procedure is deflating the balloon and removing it with the catheter.
Stent Placement: Placing a stent is similar to balloon angioplasty. However, we will insert a tiny mesh tube called a stent into the artery to keep it open. Some stents are coated with special medications to help prevent new buildup.
