Angioplasty & stenting
Reopening a narrowed artery from the inside.
Angioplasty and stenting is the image-guided treatment for a blocked or narrowed artery. A balloon is passed inside the blood vessel through a pinhole opening and inflated to reopen it; a stent may be left behind to hold it open. It is used most often for poor blood circulation in the legs, diabetic foot wounds and narrowed kidney or neck arteries.
What patients call it
Balloon treatment to open a blocked blood vessel
At a glance
- What it does
- Reopening a narrowed artery from the inside.
- Used for
- Poor blood circulation in the legs · Diabetic foot wounds that will not heal · Critical limb ischemia and gangrene
- How it is done
- Angiography identifies the narrowed artery (Narrowed artery). → A guidewire is carefully crossed through the narrowing. → A balloon is inflated to open the vessel.
- Recovery
- Procedure: Day 0 - Artery opened; walking and discharge within hours. · Day 1: Resume normal light activity. Puncture site check.
Used for
- — Poor blood circulation in the legs
- — Diabetic foot wounds that will not heal
- — Critical limb ischemia and gangrene
- — Narrowed kidney artery
Symptoms & Causes
Symptoms
- — Pain or cramping in legs when walking (claudication)
- — Coldness in the lower leg or foot
- — Sores on toes, feet or legs that won't heal
- — Change in the color of legs
- — Hair loss or slower hair growth on feet and legs
Common Causes
- — Atherosclerosis (buildup of fats, cholesterol and other substances)
- — Blood clots
- — Diabetes
- — High blood pressure
- — Smoking
Diagnosis & Treatment
How it is diagnosed
- — Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
- — Doppler ultrasound
- — CT angiography
- — Catheter angiography
The Procedure
- — A small puncture is made in the groin or wrist.
- — A thin wire is passed across the narrowing.
- — A balloon is inflated to open the artery.
- — A stent is placed to keep the artery open if needed.
Recovery & Benefits
- Procedure: Day 0 - Artery opened; walking and discharge within hours.
- Day 1: Resume normal light activity. Puncture site check.
- 1 Week: Light activity and routine lifestyle resume.
- 1 Month: Follow-up imaging and normal life.
Procedure sequence
- 01
Angiography identifies the narrowed artery (Narrowed artery).
- 02
A guidewire is carefully crossed through the narrowing.
- 03
A balloon is inflated to open the vessel.
- 04
A stent is placed to keep the channel open.
- 05
Restored blood flow is confirmed on angiography.
Questions patients ask
How long does recovery after angioplasty take?+
Most patients walk within hours and go home the same or next day. Heavy lifting is avoided for about a week, and medication to keep the artery open is continued as advised.
What are the risks of angioplasty?+
Bruising at the puncture site is common. Less commonly, the artery can re-narrow over time, or contrast can stress the kidneys — both are checked for and managed.