Arterial Interventions

Peripheral vascular disease

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a blood circulation disorder often affecting the blood vessels outside of the heart and brain. Blood vessels may narrow, become blocked or spasm, resulting in cramping, pain, and fatigue, which is often exacerbated when exercising. Interventional treatment of PVD is a first line of management and targets revascularization (restoration of flow) in occluded (closed off) or narrowed and diseased vessels.

Symptoms

Typically, symptoms of PVD begin with fatigue and cramping in the legs that worsens with physical activity. Other symptoms include reduced hair growth on the legs, skin discoloration, feet or legs feeling numb or heavy, or a weaker pulse. Later manifestations include developing ulcers and slow healing or non-healing wounds.

Risk Factors

Between the two types of PVD, functional and organic, risk factors vary. Functional PVD can be caused by cold temperatures, emotional stress, operating vibrating machinery or tools, or by certain drugs. Organic PVD can be caused by smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. An individual may have a higher risk of PVD if they are overweight or have a history of cardiovascular disease.

Before Your Exam

Before interventional treatment of PVD, a radiologist may use a doppler ultrasound to detect and measure blood flow behind the knees and in the ankles. Other ways to diagnose PVD include a conventional angiogram, CTA, MRA, treadmill exercise, and reactive hyperemia test. If your radiologist chooses to treat your PVD with angioplasty, refrain from eating and drinking eight hours before the procedure and take only approved medications.

Time required for your exam

An angioplasty typically takes between 30 minutes and two hours to complete.

Arterial Interventions

Renal artery stenosis

Renal artery stenosis refers to the narrowing of arteries to one or both of the kidneys. IR treatment of this complication includes an unblocking of the artery (via percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty), stent implantation, or often a combination of the two.

Symptoms

The symptoms of renal artery stenosis become more noticeable as the condition progresses. These include high blood pressure that does not go down with medications, fluid retention, swelling in your ankles and feet, and an increase of proteins in your urine.

Risk Factors

Both men and women are at risk for this condition. Typical risk factors include diabetes, high cholesterol, obesity, smoking, and a history of heart disease.

Before Your Exam

Plan on wearing loose-fitting clothing the day of your exam. Before undergoing a percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTA), a local anesthetic is injected at the groin or forearm to allow arterial access.

Time required for your exam

A PTA treatment typically takes one to two hours. You may be admitted overnight following the procedure to optimize your blood pressure following intervention.