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Hello, I'm Dr. Elliot Fishman, a radiologist at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. I'd like to talk with you about angioplasty and vascular stenting.
Angioplasty is commonly used to treat arterial disease that cause a narrowing or blockage of blood vessels throughout the body.
This procedure uses imaging guidance to insert a balloon-tipped catheter into a narrow or blocked blood vessel. The balloon is then inflated to open the artery or vein, and then the balloon deflated and removed. Angioplasty may be done with or without vascular stenting. Stenting is the placement of a small wire mesh tube in the blood vessel to help keep it open.
If you're scheduled for an angioplasty, there are several things you can do to prepare for the examination.
First of all, inform your doctor if there is any possibility you may be pregnant and discuss any recent illnesses and medical conditions. Tell your doctor about any medications you're taking and whether you have any allergies. Leave any jewelry at home and wear loose, comfortable clothing when you come for the examination. You may be asked to wear a gown.
You may be instructed not to eat or drink anything and to refrain from taking certain medications before your procedure. Talk to your doctor about whether or not you will need to be admitted for an overnight hospital stay. In most cases this will not be necessary.
You may have some concerns about angioplasty. However, it's important to consider the likelihood of benefit to your health of the examination. Balloon angioplasty and stent placement are much less invasive than other surgical interventions and general anesthesia is usually not required.
For more information about angioplasty and answer any of your other questions, please visit Radiology Info dot org.
Thank you for your time and attention!
