Peripheral Angioplasty [also called Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)] This procedure is used in order to treat blockages within your arteries. During PTA or Angioplasty, a very thin wire and a small balloon are passed across the blockage in your vessel. The balloon is inflated to compress the plaque (cholesterol). More>>
Stenting When a metal tube or "stent" is placed within the artery to hold it open. These stents remain permanently in the artery after the procedure. More>>
Atherectomy With some blockages, special devices are sometimes used to cut away plaque deposits caused by atherosclerosis inside the blood vessel. This allows the vessel to be treated more effectively with stenting.
Brachytherapy A special procedure performed in the catheterization laboratory in which a small tube (catheter) is inserted into the artery and delivers a small dose of radiation to your artery. Brachytherapy treats stents which have been blocked over time with regrowth of tissue from the vessel wall. A radiation oncologist is present and determines how much of a radiation dose is needed to treat the blockage in your stent.
Cryotherapy A procedure in which a small steerable tube (catheter) is passed from a blood vessel in the arm or leg and treats a blockage in an artery or vein by cooling the blood vessel to low temperatures, preventing regrowth of tissue at that site. It is typically used for treatment of blood vessels in the legs, where stents may not be very effective. Cooling at the time of treatment has been shown to reduce the chance of renarrowing of the vessel.
Thrombolysis The use of medication to dissolve blot clots (often referred to as "clot busting" medications). Thrombolysis can be used with balloon angioplasty and stenting as well.
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