The heart never takes a break. The heart is a strong muscle that never stops exercising, not for a minute. Every minute it needs blood, nourishment and oxygen. At Amarillo Heart Institute, we understand the importance of keeping your heart healthy and functioning at its best. We believe that a healthy heart is the foundation of a healthy life, and our goal is to provide you with all you need to achieve optimal heart health, a happier heart.
Percutaneous Peripheral Revascularization
Percutaneous peripheral revascularization (PPR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to improve blood flow to the peripheral arteries. This procedure is commonly used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition where there is a buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the limbs.
The PPR procedure involves the use of a catheter, a thin, flexible tube, which is inserted through a small incision in the skin and guided to the blocked artery using X-ray imaging. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon attached to the catheter is inflated, compressing the plaque against the artery walls and restoring blood flow. In some cases, a stent, a small metal mesh tube, may be inserted to keep the artery open.
PPR is considered a relatively safe and effective treatment for PAD, with a low risk of complications. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with PPR, such as bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery or surrounding tissues.
Before undergoing PPR, patients may need to undergo various tests to evaluate the severity of their PAD and assess their overall health. After the procedure, patients are usually monitored for a short period to ensure there are no complications, and they may be prescribed medications or lifestyle changes to help manage their PAD and reduce the risk of future complications.
In summary, percutaneous peripheral revascularization is a minimally invasive procedure used to improve blood flow to the peripheral arteries and treat peripheral arterial disease. The procedure involves the use of a catheter and balloon or stent to restore blood flow, and it is considered safe and effective for most patients with PAD.
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Percutaneous peripheral revascularization (PPR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to improve blood flow to the peripheral arteries. This procedure is commonly used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition where there is a buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply blood to the limbs.
The PPR procedure involves the use of a catheter, a thin, flexible tube, which is inserted through a small incision in the skin and guided to the blocked artery using X-ray imaging. Once the catheter is in place, a balloon attached to the catheter is inflated, compressing the plaque against the artery walls and restoring blood flow. In some cases, a stent, a small metal mesh tube, may be inserted to keep the artery open.
PPR is considered a relatively safe and effective treatment for PAD, with a low risk of complications. However, as with any medical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with PPR, such as bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery or surrounding tissues.
Before undergoing PPR, patients may need to undergo various tests to evaluate the severity of their PAD and assess their overall health. After the procedure, patients are usually monitored for a short period to ensure there are no complications, and they may be prescribed medications or lifestyle changes to help manage their PAD and reduce the risk of future complications.
In summary, percutaneous peripheral revascularization is a minimally invasive procedure used to improve blood flow to the peripheral arteries and treat peripheral arterial disease. The procedure involves the use of a catheter and balloon or stent to restore blood flow, and it is considered safe and effective for most patients with PAD.
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During the procedure, a small balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to compress the plaque or blockage in the coronary artery, allowing blood to flow more freely to the heart muscle. In some cases, a stent may be placed to help keep the artery open after the balloon is deflated.
Overall, percutaneous coronary revascularization is an important treatment option for patients with CAD, and has helped to improve outcomes and quality of life for many individuals with this condition.
Types of Percutanous Peripheral Revascularization
There are several types of percutaneous peripheral revascularization (PPR), including:
Percutaneous transluminal peripheral angioplasty (PTPA) or Balloon Angioplasty
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Percutaneous transluminal peripheral angioplasty (PTA) is another name for balloon angioplasty, used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
During PTA, a catheter with a small balloon at the end is inserted into the blocked artery. The balloon is then inflated to widen the artery and compress the plaque against the artery wall. The balloon can be plain or drug-coated. Drug-coated balloons release medication to prevent the artery from narrowing again. This helps to restore blood flow to the affected area, improve symptoms such as pain or cramping, and prevent further damage to the tissue or limb.
PTA is often performed in combination with stent placement to help keep the artery open after the balloon is deflated and removed. The procedure is typically performed under local anesthesia and takes about one to two hours to complete. Patients can usually return home the same day or the following day and resume normal activities within a week.
PTA is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery and has a lower risk of complications and shorter recovery time. It is an effective treatment option for patients with peripheral arterial disease who are not candidates for surgery or who prefer a less invasive approach.
There are different types of balloon angioplasty, including:
- High-pressure balloon angioplasty: This type of balloon angioplasty uses a higher pressure to inflate the balloon and widen the artery.
- Cutting balloon angioplasty: This involves a balloon with small blades on its surface that are designed to cut the plaque during inflation, making it easier to compress against the artery wall.
PTCA or Balloon Angioplasty, is a type of percutaneous coronary revascularization procedure (PCR) that is used to treat blockages in the coronary arteries. It involves using a catheter with a small balloon at the tip to compress the plaque or blockage in the artery, allowing blood to flow more freely to the heart muscle.
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During the PTCA procedure, a catheter is inserted into the artery through a small incision in the groin or wrist and threaded up to the heart. Once the catheter reaches the blocked artery, a small balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to compress the plaque and widen the artery.
After the balloon has been inflated, it is deflated and removed from the artery, and blood flow is restored to the heart muscle. In some cases, a stent may be placed in the artery to help keep it open after the balloon has been deflated.
Stent Insertion
Stent placement is a type of percutaneous peripheral revascularization (PPR) used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A stent is a small metal mesh tube that is inserted into the blocked artery to hold it open and prevent it from collapsing.
Stent placement is usually performed after a balloon angioplasty procedure to keep the artery open after the balloon is deflated and removed. The stent is typically mounted on a balloon catheter, which is inserted into the artery and inflated to deploy the stent. Once the stent is in place, the balloon is deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place to support the artery walls.
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There are different types of stents available for PPR, including bare-metal stents, drug-eluting stents, and bioabsorbable stents. Bare-metal stents are made of metal alone and are used to provide structural support to the artery. Drug-eluting stents are coated with medication that helps to prevent the artery from narrowing again. Bioabsorbable stents are made of a material that gradually dissolves over time, leaving the artery open.
Stent placement has several advantages over balloon angioplasty alone. Stents provide long-term support to the artery walls and can reduce the risk of restenosis (recurrence of the blockage) compared to balloon angioplasty alone. They can also be used to treat longer, more complex lesions and in cases where the artery is heavily calcified or has a high risk of recoil.
However, stent placement also carries some risks, including stent thrombosis (blood clotting inside the stent), stent fracture, and in-stent restenosis (recurrence of the blockage within the stent). The choice of stent type, size, and location depends on the patient’s overall health, the severity and location of the blockage, and the experience of the healthcare provider performing the procedure.
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Stent placement is a type of percutaneous peripheral revascularization (PPR) used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD). A stent is a small metal mesh tube that is inserted into the blocked artery to hold it open and prevent it from collapsing.
Stent placement is usually performed after a balloon angioplasty procedure to keep the artery open after the balloon is deflated and removed. The stent is typically mounted on a balloon catheter, which is inserted into the artery and inflated to deploy the stent. Once the stent is in place, the balloon is deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place to support the artery walls.
There are different types of stents available for PPR, including bare-metal stents, drug-eluting stents, and bioabsorbable stents. Bare-metal stents are made of metal alone and are used to provide structural support to the artery. Drug-eluting stents are coated with medication that helps to prevent the artery from narrowing again. Bioabsorbable stents are made of a material that gradually dissolves over time, leaving the artery open.
Stent placement has several advantages over balloon angioplasty alone. Stents provide long-term support to the artery walls and can reduce the risk of restenosis (recurrence of the blockage) compared to balloon angioplasty alone. They can also be used to treat longer, more complex lesions and in cases where the artery is heavily calcified or has a high risk of recoil.
However, stent placement also carries some risks, including stent thrombosis (blood clotting inside the stent), stent fracture, and in-stent restenosis (recurrence of the blockage within the stent). The choice of stent type, size, and location depends on the patient’s overall health, the severity and location of the blockage, and the experience of the healthcare provider performing the procedure.
Stent types:
Bare metal stents (BMS): These stents are made of a base metal such as stainless steel or cobalt-chromium. They are designed to provide structural support to the artery and prevent it from collapsing or becoming blocked again. BMS are usually less expensive than other types of stents, but they may have a higher risk of restenosis (re-narrowing of the artery) compared to drug-eluting stents.
Drug-eluting stents (DES): These stents are coated with medication that is slowly released over time to help prevent restenosis. The medication helps to inhibit the growth of scar tissue inside the artery and reduce the risk of the stent becoming blocked again. DES are typically made of a base metal such as stainless steel or cobalt-chromium, and may also be coated with a polymer material to help control the release of the medication.
Bioabsorbable stents (BAS): These stents are made of a biodegradable material such as polylactic acid (PLA) or polyglycolic acid (PGA) that gradually dissolves over time. As the stent dissolves, it is replaced by natural tissue growth, which helps to restore the normal function of the artery. BAS may have a lower risk of restenosis compared to other types of stents, but they are still relatively new and their long-term safety and effectiveness are still being studied.
During the stent insertion procedure, a catheter is inserted into the artery through a small incision in the groin or wrist and threaded up to the blocked artery. Once the stent is in place, it is expanded using a balloon catheter to compress the plaque and widen the artery. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place to help keep the artery open.
Atherectomy
Atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat blockages in the arteries. The procedure involves removing or reducing the buildup of plaque that has formed inside the artery walls, which can impede blood flow and lead to a variety of health complications, including heart attacks and strokes.
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There are four main types of atherectomy procedures, including: Directional, Rotational, Orbital and Laser.
Overall, atherectomy procedures can be highly effective in treating blockages in the arteries, and can help improve blood flow and reduce the risk of complications such as heart attacks and strokes. However, like any medical procedure, atherectomy comes with some risks, including bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery wall. It is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of atherectomy, and to discuss any concerns you may have before undergoing the procedure.
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Atherectomy is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat blockages in the arteries. The procedure involves removing or reducing the buildup of plaque that has formed inside the artery walls, which can impede blood flow and lead to a variety of health complications, including heart attacks and strokes.
There are four main types of atherectomy procedures, including: Directional, Rotational, Orbital and Laser.
Overall, atherectomy procedures can be highly effective in treating blockages in the arteries, and can help improve blood flow and reduce the risk of complications such as heart attacks and strokes. However, like any medical procedure, atherectomy comes with some risks, including bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery wall. It is important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of atherectomy, and to discuss any concerns you may have before undergoing the procedure.
Directional atherectomy: This procedure involves using a catheter with a rotating blade to remove the plaque from the inside of the artery. The blade is designed to shave off the plaque, which is then collected and removed from the body. This technique is particularly useful in removing harder, calcified plaques.
Rotational atherectomy: This procedure involves using a specialized catheter with a diamond-coated, high-speed rotating burr to remove the plaque from the inside of the artery. The burr breaks up the plaque into small particles, which are then removed from the body by the bloodstream or with the help of a suction catheter.
Orbital atherectomy: This procedure uses a diamond-coated, eccentrically mounted, high-speed rotational crown to abrade the plaque from the inside of the artery. The crown’s unique design allows it to move in an elliptical motion, reducing the risk of damaging the artery wall while still effectively removing the plaque.
Laser atherectomy: This procedure involves using a laser to vaporize the plaque inside the artery. The laser is delivered through a catheter, and the heat generated by the laser vaporizes the plaque, which is then removed from the body by the bloodstream.
Thrombectomy
Thrombectomy is a procedure used in percutaneous Coronary revascularization (PCR) to remove a blood clot (thrombus) from an artery that has become blocked. This procedure is typically performed using a catheter inserted through a small incision in the groin or arm, and is done under local anesthesia.
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The catheter is guided to the site of the clot using imaging techniques such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy. Once the catheter is in place, a device is used to break up the clot into smaller pieces, which are then suctioned out of the artery. This process is called mechanical thrombectomy and is often performed using a device called a thrombectomy catheter.
Thrombectomy is typically used when the blood clot is too large or too difficult to remove using medication alone, such as with anticoagulant or thrombolytic drugs. It is also used in cases where the clot has caused tissue damage or limb-threatening ischemia.
Like other PCR procedures, thrombectomy carries some risks, including bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery or surrounding tissue. The procedure is usually performed by a vascular surgeon or interventional radiologist who has experience in performing PCR procedures.
Overall, thrombectomy is an effective treatment option for patients with peripheral arterial disease who have a blood clot that cannot be treated with medication alone. The procedure can help restore blood flow to the affected area, relieve symptoms, and prevent further damage to the tissue or limb.
Image by brgfx on Freepik
Thrombectomy is a procedure used in percutaneous peripheral revascularization (PPR) to remove a blood clot (thrombus) from an artery that has become blocked due to peripheral arterial disease (PAD). This procedure is typically performed using a catheter inserted through a small incision in the groin or arm, and is done under local anesthesia.
The catheter is guided to the site of the clot using imaging techniques such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy. Once the catheter is in place, a device is used to break up the clot into smaller pieces, which are then suctioned out of the artery. This process is called mechanical thrombectomy and is often performed using a device called a thrombectomy catheter.
Thrombectomy is typically used when the blood clot is too large or too difficult to remove using medication alone, such as with anticoagulant or thrombolytic drugs. It is also used in cases where the clot has caused tissue damage or limb-threatening ischemia.
Like other PPR procedures, thrombectomy carries some risks, including bleeding, infection, and damage to the artery or surrounding tissue. The procedure is usually performed by a vascular surgeon or interventional radiologist who has experience in performing PPR procedures.
Overall, thrombectomy is an effective treatment option for patients with peripheral arterial disease who have a blood clot that cannot be treated with medication alone. The procedure can help restore blood flow to the affected area, relieve symptoms, and prevent further damage to the tissue or limb.
