Angioplasty and Stenting

What Is Angioplasty and Stenting?

Angioplasty and stenting is an image-guided, non-surgical procedure that is used to restore the free flow of blood to arteries or veins that have become blocked. The procedure involves threading a balloon-tipped catheter through your blood vessels to the point of the blockage, inflating the balloon to expand the blood vessel, and optionally placing a stent that will remain in place to hold the vessel open.

How to Prepare for Angioplasty and Stenting

• Consultation - We will schedule an appointment for you to review the treatment and answer any questions you may have.
• When to arrive - Arrival time varies according to procedure. We will tell you what time to arrive when you make your appointment.
• Contrast - This procedure uses IV contrast, which helps the interventional radiologists see inside your body more clearly. We carefully assess your risk before giving you IV contrast and may run a blood test before your procedure to check your body chemistry.
• Eating - Please do not eat solid foods, candy or gum after 10 pm on the night before your procedure. We may need to reschedule your procedure if you do.
• Drinking - Please Please drink only clear liquids after 10 pm on the night before your procedure. Stay hydrated by drinking one or two tall glasses every one to two hours while you are awake. Please stop drinking anything three hours before your procedure.
• Medications - Please take your regularly scheduled medications with a sip of water. If you are currently taking any anti-coagulation medications, such as Coumadin^®, Eliquis^® or Plavix^®, please call your referring physician for holding instructions at least five days before your procedure.

What Happens After Angioplasty and Stenting?

We will admit you to the hospital overnight so we can monitor your condition. Once you return home, you should take it easy for a few days and avoid any strenuous activity for 10 days. Most people return to a normal level of activity in one to three weeks.