Arterioplasty

What is Arterioplasty?

Arterioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked arteries and restore normal blood flow. While angioplasty is a broader term that can refer to opening any blood vessel (artery or vein), arterioplasty specifically targets the arterial system. It is commonly used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD), renal artery disease, and other conditions where atherosclerotic plaque narrows the arteries and restricts blood flow.

Arterioplasty is often performed during or immediately after an angiogram, which is the diagnostic procedure used to visualize arterial blockages. If significant narrowing is detected during the angiogram, your physician can frequently treat the blockage in the same session — avoiding the need for a separate procedure.

How Does Arterioplasty Work?

Arterioplasty is performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. You remain awake but comfortable throughout.

The Procedure

1. Access: A small puncture (about the size of a pencil tip) is made in the skin, typically in the groin, to access the arterial system. The area is numbed with a local anesthetic.
2. Catheter placement: A thin catheter is threaded through the puncture and guided through the blood vessels to the site of the blockage using fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray imaging).
3. Contrast imaging: Contrast dye is injected through the catheter to visualize the narrowed artery and determine the severity and extent of the blockage.
4. Treatment: Depending on the characteristics of the blockage, one of two approaches is used:

Balloon Arterioplasty

For this technique, the catheter features a small deflated balloon at its tip. Once positioned at the blockage:

• The balloon is inflated to a precise pressure, compressing the plaque against the artery wall
• The artery is stretched open, restoring the blood flow channel
• The balloon is deflated and the catheter remains in place
• Contrast dye is injected again to evaluate the result

If blood flow is significantly improved and less than 30% of the blockage remains, the arterioplasty is considered successful.

Arterioplasty with Stenting

When balloon arterioplasty alone does not adequately restore blood flow, or when the artery is at high risk of re-narrowing, a stent may be placed:

• A stent is a tiny metal mesh cylinder that acts as a scaffold
• It is delivered to the treatment site on a catheter and expanded to hold the artery open
• The stent becomes a permanent part of the artery, providing structural support
• Over time, the artery wall heals around the stent

Stents are particularly useful for:

• Arteries that recoil after balloon dilation
• Areas with significant calcification or hard plaque
• Previously treated areas that have re-narrowed (restenosis)
• Blockages at the origin of branch arteries

Note: Stents are permanent implants and cannot be used for patients with metal allergies. Your physician will discuss this with you before the procedure.

What Conditions Does Arterioplasty Treat?

Arterioplasty is used to treat arterial blockages throughout the body:

• Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): Opening blocked leg arteries to relieve claudication (leg pain with walking) and prevent limb-threatening ischemia
• Renal Artery Disease: Restoring blood flow to the kidneys to control blood pressure and preserve kidney function
• Mesenteric artery disease: Opening blocked arteries supplying the intestines
• Subclavian artery disease: Treating blockages in the arteries supplying the arms

Who is a Candidate?

Arterioplasty may be recommended if you have:

• Arterial blockages causing symptoms such as leg pain, kidney dysfunction, or organ ischemia
• Failed to improve with lifestyle changes and medications alone
• Blockages identified during diagnostic angiography that are suitable for endovascular treatment
• Arterial disease that poses a risk of serious complications if left untreated

Your vascular specialist will evaluate your imaging, symptoms, and overall health to determine whether arterioplasty is the right treatment approach.

Benefits of Arterioplasty

• Minimally invasive: Performed through a tiny puncture — no surgical incision
• Outpatient procedure: Most patients go home the same day
• Local anesthesia: No general anesthesia or intubation required
• Combined with diagnosis: Can be performed during the same session as a diagnostic angiogram
• Rapid results: Blood flow is restored immediately
• Quick recovery: Most patients return to normal activities within 1-2 days
• Effective: High success rates for opening narrowed arteries

What to Expect During Recovery

• At the facility: You will rest for several hours while the access site is monitored. Pressure is applied to the puncture site to prevent bleeding.
• Going home: You can usually go home the same day. Avoid driving; arrange for someone to take you home.
• First 24-48 hours: Avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and bending at the hip (if groin access was used). Keep the puncture site clean and dry.
• Medications: Your physician may prescribe blood thinners or antiplatelet medications to keep the treated artery open.
• Follow-up: A follow-up appointment with imaging may be scheduled to verify continued blood flow through the treated artery.

Potential Risks

Arterioplasty is a safe procedure with a low complication rate. Possible risks include:

• Bruising or bleeding at the access site
• Allergic reaction to contrast dye
• Artery damage or dissection (tear in the artery wall)
• Restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery over time)
• Blood clot formation at the treatment site
• Kidney effects from contrast dye (in patients with pre-existing kidney issues)
• Rarely, embolization (plaque fragments traveling downstream)

Your physician will discuss all potential risks before the procedure and take careful steps to minimize complications.

Why Choose Preferred Vascular Group?

Our board-certified vascular specialists have extensive experience performing arterioplasty and other endovascular procedures. At Preferred Vascular Group, you receive:

• Expert interventional care from experienced vascular specialists
• State-of-the-art imaging for precise catheter guidance and treatment
• Same-session diagnosis and treatment — reducing the need for multiple procedures
• Comprehensive follow-up to monitor long-term results
• Eight convenient locations across Georgia and Ohio

If you have been diagnosed with arterial disease or are experiencing symptoms of reduced blood flow, our specialists can evaluate your condition and determine whether arterioplasty can help restore healthy circulation.

References

1. Defined in Cochrane Reviews. “Angioplasty and stenting for peripheral arterial disease of the lower limbs: an overview of Cochrane Reviews.” Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2019. PMC
2. Peripheral Arterial Disease. StatPearls, StatPearls Publishing, 2024. NCBI Bookshelf
3. Gerhard-Herman MD, et al. “2016 AHA/ACC guideline on the management of patients with lower extremity peripheral artery disease.” Circulation, 2017. PubMed