Arterial Disease

Angiography with intervention (balloon angioplasty, stent placement, atherectomy)

Angiography with intervention is a non-surgical procedure to open blocked arteries in the limbs (e.g. arms and legs), kidney arteries, arteries to the abdomen and arteries to the brain. The procedure is performed through small openings in the skin of about 2-3 mm. The arteries are opened by use of vascular balloons, stents and devices that remove plaque (atherectomy).  Arteries typically become blocked because of  atherosclerosis which is the buildup of fatty plaque on the artery walls, making them narrower and stiffer. 

Aneurysms are when arteries become dilated beyond their normal size. These weakened arteries are at risk for complications such as rupture and/or clot formation. Many aneurysms such as abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) and aneurysms of the spleen can now be treated without the need for open surgery. The aneurysms can be treated by placement of stents to exclude blood flow to the weakened wall or small coils to occlude or block flow into the weakened vessel.

Used to treat: Blocked arteries and aneurysms