Angioplasty & Vascular Stenting
Minimally invasive techniques to support a narrowing blood vessel
In order for blood to flow freely through our blood vessels (arteries and veins), the walls of the vessel must remain strong and the passageway open.
As we age, arteries may narrow or weaken due to a number of reasons, obstructing blood flow and causing various circulation problems depending on the location of the vessel in question.
When a narrowed or weakened vessel is identified, an interventional radiologist may be asked to perform a minimally invasive image-guided procedure that will help open and support the vessel, restoring healthy blood flow.
Angioplasty
Angioplasty utilizes a special type of catheter, equipped with a balloon tip that can be inflated as needed.
The interventional radiologist may enter the patient’s artery, guide the catheter to the narrowing or weakened vessel under real-time imaging, and then inflate the balloon to push the vessel open.
Vascular Stenting
Once the narrowed vessel is being supported by an angioplasty balloon, the interventional radiologist can place something called a stent to hold the vessel open.
A stent is a wire mesh tube that can remain in the vessel permanently.