Peripheral Arterial Disease, also known as Peripheral Vascular Disease is a condition affecting the arterial tree of the body, including abdominal, leg, arm and neck arteries. Atherosclerosis, of a similar nature to that found in the heart, causes narrowing or occlusion of arteries. This can result in a wide range of symptoms, from nothing at all to pain in the calves when walking, to pain at rest and potentially gangrene of the toes. When it occurs in the neck arteries it can cause a stroke.
There are several treatment options for this disease process, which can be discussed at the time of consultation. These range from taking tablets to minimise progression of the disease, to endovascular solutions including angioplasty and stenting (keyhole surgery), and also open surgery.
Angioplasty and Stenting
This is performed in an angiography suite, under local anaesthesia. A wire is passed from the artery in the groin to navigate through the occlusion. A balloon and sometimes a stent is then passed over the wire and inflated to open the narrowed vessel. Patients usually stay one night in hospital and return to normal activities the following day.
Open Surgery
Sometimes the vessel blockage is best treated with surgery, which involves a bypass or cleaning out the involved artery. This is usually performed under general anaesthesia and requires a few days stay in hospital.
The above options will be discussed at the time of consultation and the most suitable approach taken to provide you with the best possible outcome.
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