Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention
Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention is a minimally invasive procedure used to diagnose and treat peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that occurs when the arteries in the legs, feet, arms, or kidneys become narrowed or blocked.
What is Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention?
Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography is an imaging procedure that allows your doctor to visualize the blood vessels in your legs, feet, arms, or kidneys. If a significant blockage is found during the diagnostic angiography, your doctor may proceed with an interventional procedure to treat the affected blood vessel(s).
Diagnostic peripheral angiography helps your doctor determine the severity and location of PAD and plan the most appropriate treatment. With this knowledge, you and your doctor can decide on the most appropriate interventional procedures to help alleviate symptoms of PAD, such as leg pain (claudication), and improve circulation to the affected limbs.
Benefits & Risks of Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention
Benefits of Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention:
- Accurate diagnosis: Peripheral angiography provides detailed images of your blood vessels, helping your doctor accurately diagnose peripheral artery disease (PAD) and its severity.
- Minimally invasive: Compared to open surgery, peripheral angiography and intervention are minimally invasive procedures with smaller incisions, less pain, and shorter recovery times.
- Symptom relief: Interventional procedures like angioplasty and stenting can significantly improve symptoms of PAD, such as leg pain (claudication), by restoring blood flow to the affected limbs.
- Improved quality of life: By alleviating symptoms and improving circulation, these procedures can enhance your overall quality of life and allow you to return to normal activities more quickly.
- Limb preservation: In severe cases of PAD, intervention can help prevent critical limb ischemia, which may otherwise lead to amputation.
- Guidance for treatment: The results of peripheral angiography can help your doctor plan the most appropriate treatment strategy for your specific condition.
Risks of Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention:
- Bleeding and bruising
- Blood vessel damage (rare)
- Allergic reaction to the contrast dye
- Kidney damage
- Infection at the catheter insertion site
- Restenosis, in which the treated artery narrows again
What to Expect With Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention
Before The Procedure
- Your doctor will explain the procedure, its benefits, and potential risks, and answer any questions you may have.
- Inform your doctor about any medications you're taking, allergies, and previous medical conditions. You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners.
- Fasting for 6-8 hours before the procedure is usually required.
- Arrange for someone to drive you home after the procedure.
During The Procedure
- You'll change into a hospital gown and lie on an X-ray table.
- Your vital signs will be monitored throughout the procedure.
- A local anesthetic will be applied to the catheter insertion site (usually the groin area).
- A small incision will be made, and a sheath (a short plastic tube) will be inserted into the artery.
- The catheter will be guided through the sheath to the area of concern.
- Contrast dye will be injected through the catheter, and X-ray images will be taken.
- If a blockage is found, your doctor may proceed with angioplasty, stenting, or atherectomy.
- The catheter and sheath will be removed, and the incision site will be closed with manual pressure, a vascular closure device, or a few stitches.
After The Procedure
- You'll be moved to a recovery area for observation, typically for a few hours.
- You may experience some discomfort, bruising, or swelling at the incision site, which can be managed with pain medication.
- Drink plenty of fluids to help flush the contrast dye out of your system.
- Your doctor will provide specific instructions on wound care, activity levels, and follow-up appointments.
- You may need to take anti-clotting medications to prevent blood clots.
- Recovery time varies, but most people can return to normal activities within a few days to a week.
Am I a Candidate for Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention?
To determine if you are a candidate for Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention, your doctor will consider several factors:
- Symptoms: If you are experiencing symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD), such as leg pain (claudication), numbness, weakness, coldness in the limbs, or non-healing wounds, you may be a candidate for these procedures.
- Physical examination: Your doctor will perform a physical exam, checking for weak pulses, skin changes, or signs of poor circulation in your legs and feet.
- Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI): This non-invasive test compares blood pressure in your ankle to blood pressure in your arm. An abnormal ABI may indicate PAD and warrant further evaluation with peripheral angiography.
- Imaging tests: Non-invasive imaging tests, such as Doppler ultrasound, computed tomographic angiography (CTA), or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), may be used to assess blood flow and identify narrowed or blocked arteries.
- Risk factors: If you have multiple risk factors for PAD, such as smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or a family history of cardiovascular disease, your doctor may recommend diagnostic peripheral angiography to evaluate your condition.
- Severity of the condition: If your PAD is severe or not responding to conservative treatments like lifestyle changes and medications, you may be a candidate for peripheral angiography and intervention.
Manage Heart Health With Advanced Cardiac Interventions
If you're experiencing symptoms of peripheral artery disease (PAD), such as leg pain, numbness, or non-healing wounds, don't wait to seek help. Schedule an appointment with our skilled vascular specialists today to discuss if Diagnostic Peripheral Angiography and Intervention may be right for you.
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