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PAD Treatment: What is Atherectomy?
PAD Treatment: What is Atherectomy?If peripheral artery disease, or PAD, is getting in the way of your life every day, or ifyour blood flow is severely reduced because of a blockage, your healthcare providermay recommend a procedure called atherectomy. Atherectomy opens up the blockedartery and restores blood flow.Arteries in your neck, legs, and arms, called peripheral arteries, circulate oxygen-richblood throughout your body. Blood flows easily through a healthy peripheral artery.But over time, cholesterol and other fatty deposits, called plaque, can build up on theartery wall. This narrowing of the arteries is called atherosclerosis.The artery can become partially blocked reducing blood flow to parts of your body.Because it is more common to have blockages in your legs, if you have PAD youmay notice leg pain, called claudication; fatigue; cramping; dry, scaly skin; poor hairgrowth; and slow-healing wounds on your lower legs and feet.If left untreated, the blockage can continue to build. Your peripheral arteries maynarrow even further. A piece of plaque can break off of the blockage, travel down avessel and get lodged in place, completely blocking the artery.When oxygen-rich blood cannot get to a part of the body, damage occurs. Thisdamage can cause serious complications, like amputation, and can even lead to heartattack and stroke.For many people, lifestyle changes and medication may be enough to control thesymptoms of PAD and improve overall heart health. But for some, atherectomy maybe needed to restore blood flow through the peripheral arteries and prevent the longterm complications of PAD.During the atherectomy procedure, a catheter, usually with a small, sharp razorattached to it, will be guided through the artery to the narrowed spot. The razor shavesaway the plaque build-up widening the artery so that blood flows easily again.Your20% gradient meshhealthcare provider may choose to use a laser instead, to clear the blockage.The atherectomy procedure usually takes about one hour. It can be done on anouthealthclipspatient basis, which means you will go home the same day, or during a stay in thehealthclipshospital.PAD is serious. It is a warning sign that you are at risk for serious health problems,healthclipsincluding heart attack and stroke. Atherectomy can restore blood flow to your arms,legs and feet, and reduce both the symptoms and the complications of PAD. healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10201_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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