Pvd Surgery Procedures

Peripheral vascular disease occurs when blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the extremities, such as the legs or arms, become blocked due to plaque buildup and inflammation. When blood flow is blocked, this can cause symptoms such as pain and difficulty in performing basic tasks, such as walking. For patients with minor PVD, lifestyle changes or medications may reduce symptoms. For others, surgery may be required.

Visualizing Your Veins

• To make a surgical recommendation, a physician begins by administering several imaging tests to view the arteries, including an ultrasound, X-ray, angiography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. A physician should be able to determine an appropriate surgical recommendation based on two choices: bypass surgery or angioplasty with stenting to keep the vein open and blood running freely through.

Angioplasty

• Angioplasty is a minimally invasive method used to widen a blocked artery due to PVD. The procedure is performed by threading a thin catheter with a deflated balloon on its tip through the peripheral artery. Once a physician reaches the place where the artery is blocked, the balloon is inflated, which helps to compress the plaque and re-widen the vein. It is also possible to place a stent, (a mesh tube) in the artery, which then expands and keeps the artery open in a particular place.

  This approach is a better fit for PVD sufferers who only have a small section of vein that is blocked or who only have one blocked vein, as it is difficult to repair multiple veins in this manner. This procedure is also a better strategic move for those who may require further surgery that necessitates the removal of saphenous veins. These veins are used during PVD bypass surgery to repair the vein, but also may be necessary for future heart bypass surgeries. Because the surgery does not require general anesthesia nor a large incision, recovery times are typically shorter.

  One of the biggest disadvantages associated with angioplasty is that the arteries may become clogged again and require further procedures.

Bypass Surgery

• Bypass surgery involves using a blood vessel graft to transfer blood flow from the blocked blood vessel toward a new vessel pathway. This type of surgery has long been considered the standard for treating PVD. The surgery requires general anesthesia and involves making an incision above the problematic blood vessel, then a surgeon places a vessel graft both above and below the blockage, redirecting blood through the healthy graft.

  While bypass surgery may be more invasive than angioplasty, bypass has several advantages. The procedure is recommended for patients who have several blocked veins as a result of PVD, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Also, because the procedure was the only surgical approach to PVD prior to angioplasty, the results are more studied for bypass surgery when compared with angioplasty. Patients who experience severe or life-threatening symptoms associated with PVD may wish to undergo bypass surgery.