Minimally Invasive Endovascular Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease

The expert surgeons at American Vascular Specialists in Mesa, Arizona, use the most advanced endovascular treatment methods available. The physicians can treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD) with minimally invasive procedures, such as balloon angioplasty. To learn more about the minimally invasive endovascular treatment of PAD, call the office or book an appointment online today.

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Minimally Invasive Endovascular Treatment of Peripheral Arterial Disease Q & A

What is peripheral arterial disease?

Peripheral arterial disease, also known as PAD, is a common vascular condition that occurs when plaque builds up in your blood vessels. Over time, this plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) causes your blood vessels to become narrow or blocked.

Exercise and quitting smoking are usually the first lines of treatment for PAD. If your PAD symptoms continue despite these treatment attempts, the team at American Vascular Specialists may recommend interventional treatment. Your treatment plan may include a minimally invasive endovascular procedure. 

What are my treatment options for peripheral arterial disease?

Traditionally, open bypass surgery has been the standard PAD treatment. But recent advances in medical technology have revolutionized the treatment of PAD with minimally invasive endovascular approaches. 

Endovascular procedures use an instrument called a catheter to treat the inside of your blood vessels. The team at American Vascular Specialists use a variety of endovascular techniques to treat PAD without open surgery, including:

  • Atherectomy, which involves removing the plaque from the artery
  • Balloon angioplasty, which involves widening the artery with a small balloon
  • Stents, which are tiny cylinders that fit inside the artery to keep it open

Your American Vascular Specialists provider evaluates your condition and recommends the best endovascular procedure for you.

How do minimally invasive endovascular treatments compare to open surgery?

Because the endovascular approach is minimally invasive, this type of treatment offers numerous advantages over open surgery, such as:

  • Less pain
  • Faster recovery
  • Smaller incisions
  • Minimal scarring

Generally, patients who get a minimally invasive endovascular treatment for PAD go home the same day as surgery. Open bypass surgery requires a hospital stay of at least two days.

If you undergo a minimally invasive procedure, you may be able to return to your normal activities within a week. This recovery period is in contrast to the several weeks of downtime necessary to recover from open surgery.

Who is a good candidate for minimally invasive endovascular treatments?

The team at American Vascular Specialists uses the least invasive approaches possible, but not everyone is a good candidate for minimally invasive endovascular treatment of PAD.

If you have an extensive blockage that involves a long segment of your leg artery, your surgeon may recommend lower extremity bypass surgery instead. 

To learn more about minimally invasive treatment options for PAD, call American Vascular Specialists, or book an appointment online today.