Why is this procedure done?
Peripheral vascular disease is also called PVD. It is a health problem of blood vessels in your body. The arteries in the legs, to the kidneys, and other parts of the body get a build up of a fatty substance called plaque. ‚
Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood to muscles. When the arteries get blocked, there is less blood flow. Reduced blood flow can cause pain, especially with activity. Cleaning out the artery can improve blood flow and prevent these problems. You may need to have a small mesh tube placed in the artery to help keep it open. This is called a stent. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history. Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin ‚ ®, ibuprofen, Aleve ‚ ® (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- Your doctor will do an exam and may order:
- Lab tests
- Ultrasound
- Stress test on a treadmill
- Test to measure blood pressure in your arm and leg. This is called an ankle-brachial index.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- You will be given an I.V. so that drugs and fluids can be given. You may be given drugs to help you relax.
- Your skin will be numbed where the stent will be put in. This will keep you pain free during the procedure.
- Your doctor will make a small cut and put a tube through the artery in your arm or the top of your leg. The tube has a small balloon and wire mesh on the end.
- The doctor will open the balloon to stretch the blocked area and open the artery. The wire mesh will attach to the artery wall and stay there when the balloon is deflated. This keeps the artery wall open and lets the blood flow through.
- The doctor will remove the tube, stitch up the cut, and put a bandage on it.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will be watched for a period of time to make sure the bleeding stops.
- You can go home after the procedure.
- You may have a bandage over your arm or leg where the doctor made a cut. Keep this bandage clean and dry. Remove the bandage only when then doctor tells you to.
- You may have some pain after the procedure. The doctor may order a pain drug for you. Take it as ordered.
What drugs may be needed?
Your doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Lower blood pressure
- Prevent or break up blood clots
- Control heartbeat
- Lower cholesterol
- Help with pain
- Help you relax
What changes to diet are needed?
Eating a healthy diet is important during this time. Ask to see a dietician for help with a plan that is right for you. In general, eating healthy means: ‚
- Eat whole grain foods and foods high in fiber.
- Choose many different fruits and vegetables. Fresh or frozen is best.
- Cut back on solid fats like butter or margarine. Eat less fatty or processed foods.
- Eat more low fat or lean meats like chicken, fish, or turkey. Eat less red meat.
- Limit beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Avoid caffeine.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding. If you see a lot of bleeding or if the bleeding will not stop, call the doctor right away.
- Clot in the artery
- Injury to the artery
- Artery gets clogged again
- The stent breaks
When do I need to call the doctor?
Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack or stroke. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚
- Signs of heart attack:
- Chest pain
- Trouble breathing
- Fast heartbeat
- Feeling dizzy
- Signs of stroke:
- Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm, or leg, especially on one side of the body
- Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding
- Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes
- Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- Sudden severe headache with no known cause
- Numbness, tingling, weakness, or very bad pain in your foot.
- Your foot becomes cold, pale, or turns blue.
Call your doctor if you have: ‚
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the cut site; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody drainage; very bad smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Very bad leg pain
Where can I learn more?
American Heart Association ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/PeripheralArteryDisease/About-Peripheral-Artery-Disease-PAD_UCM_301301_Article.jsp ‚
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/More/PeripheralArteryDisease/Prevention-and-Treatment-of-PAD_UCM_301308_Article.jsp ‚
Vascular Disease Foundation ‚
http://vasculardisease.org/peripheral-artery-disease/ ‚
http://vasculardisease.org/peripheral-artery-disease/pad-treatment/endovascular-therapy/ ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚