What to Expect Before, During, and After Peripheral Angioplasty

Peripheral angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to improve blood flow, alleviate persistent pain, and support the efficient healing of open wounds.  A peripheral angiogram is performed to visualize the arteries within, to detect blockages and to determine the need for the angioplasty.

At Chinatown Cardiology, with multiple New York City locations, we offer peripheral angioplasty procedures for adults with circulatory problems due to blocked blood vessels in the legs or peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Our experienced cardiologists provide information so you can prepare for your procedure. We also offer complete aftercare services for a complication-free recovery.

What to expect before peripheral angioplasty

Before a peripheral angiogram/angioplasty, your provider ensures it’s the best treatment for you by ordering and reviewing blood tests and other lab work. They may also perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) to assess the electrical function of your heart.

You will be instructed to come to our office one to two weeks prior to the procedure to complete some pre-testing.  During this visit, you will be provided with instructions on how to prepare for the appointment, including information about any diet changes, changes to your medication regimen, and a few after-care pointers.  You should arrange for a responsible adult to be available to take you home once the procedure is completed.

What to expect during peripheral angiogram/angioplasty

Following a peripheral angiogram/angioplasty, you can expect to go home soon after a brief recovery period.

When you arrive at our facility (conveniently located within the same building as our Chinatown, New York location), your identity will be confirmed.  After you change into a gown, you will be evaluated by our nurse and physician to confirm your readiness for the procedure.  Your consent to the procedure will be obtained.

During the procedure, our team can provide a sedative to help you relax on the exam table. We also apply a topical anesthetic to the skin near the peripheral blood vessels in your foot before inserting a needle into the vessel to create a hole.  Through this hole, your provider passes a thin, flexible wire into your peripheral arteries, using fluoroscopy, a real-time X-ray technology, to guide the wire. They also guide a thin tube (catheter) over the wire into the artery.  (NOTE: the foot is the best point of entry because it causes the least bleeding!)

We inject a contrast dye through the catheter to highlight the affected arteries on X-ray images. Once the catheter is in position, your cardiologist inserts a balloon or stent and moves it into the blocked or narrowed artery. The balloon will help widen the narrowed area and a stent (if needed) keeps the vessel open.  Both methods help improve blood flow.

Once the procedure is complete, the results are checked by a follow-up angiogram. Afterward, your provider removes the guide wire and catheter. They apply pressure to the hole to minimize bleeding before covering it with a bandage.

What to expect after peripheral angioplasty

You need a few hours to recover from the procedure and the sedative. Our cardiology team continues to monitor your blood pressure and heart rate as you rest to determine when it’s safe to return home.

It’s wise to spend the rest of the day resting to limit movements of your arm or groin where the catheter had been. That helps avoid unnecessary bleeding and the possibility of infection. The contrast dye leaves your body naturally as waste in a few days.

We offer follow-up visits and may request additional diagnostic tests to ensure your peripheral angioplasty works well. If you have any unusual symptoms, like low blood pressure, dizziness, or pain, before your follow-up appointment, contact our office right away.

Call the Chinatown Cardiology office near you today to find out if peripheral angioplasty is right for you, or book an appointment online.