Peripheral arterial disease causes constriction in your blood vessels, leading to less blood flow. You will likely show symptoms that include leg cramping and pain, discomfort, skin discoloration, and poor wound healing. Such symptoms may worsen if left untreated and lead to dramatic artery damage. However, with Davenport peripheral arterial disease treatment, you can be at peace knowing the condition will stay under control. Your surgeon may recommend corrective treatment like angioplasty and stent placement to open the artery and restore blood flow to your legs.
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What Can You Do Before Angioplasty and Stent Placement?
Your surgeon will give you several guides you must follow as you prepare for surgery. Such preparations may include avoiding certain medications like blood thinners, aspirin, and ibuprofen, among other drugs, to reduce blood clotting effects. You can tell your surgeon about current drugs and prescriptions, herbs and supplements, and medical conditions. Your doctor may also ask you to empty your bowels before surgery, remove jewelry and clothing, and wear a gown.
What Can You Expect During Angioplasty?
Your doctor will administer an IV injection to help you relax, then connect you to an ECG to record your heart activities and monitor its rhythm. You will then need a local anesthesia injection which may cause a stinging sensation for a few seconds. After the anesthesia takes effect, your surgeon will insert a tube through a catheter into the blood vessel to your heart. Your doctor may use a contrast dye to allow clear vision of your narrowed arteries. You will likely feel a metallic taste in your mouth, a slight headache, and a flushing sensation, but the effects will wear out shortly. However, if you experience trouble breathing, nausea, numbness, heart palpitations, and chills, you should tell your doctor immediately. After your doctor identifies the narrowed artery, they will move the catheter to that position and inflate it to open up your artery. After the deflation of the balloon, you should feel any discomfort go away but if you still feel pain, tell your doctor. You may need several inflations before your doctor decides to put a stent to finally help your artery stay open. Your doctor then removes the catheter, seals the incision site, and finally dresses it.
What Happens After Surgery?
You may require several hours of hospital stay while your doctor monitors your symptoms. However, if you experience chest pain, tightness, bleeding, and pain, you can tell your doctor immediately. Furthermore, you may feel the need for frequent urination as a result of the contrast dye. Later, your doctor will allow you to go home and encourage you to drink more water and use pain medications if you feel pain and discomfort.
Find your doctor at Vein & Cardiovascular Center to open up your damaged artery through angioplasty and stent placement. Your doctor will explain how the procedure will restore normal blood flow to your legs. Avoid the complications that come with PAD and seek treatment today. You can also visit the website and click the request appointment tab.