Boston Scientific Logo

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA)

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) can be performed to treat vessel narrowing. A wire is passed from the femoral artery in the groin (or, at times, from the radial artery or brachial artery in the arm) to beyond the area of the artery that is being treated. A balloon catheter is advanced over the wire to the segment that is to be treated. The end of the catheter contains a small folded balloon. When the balloon is inflated, it compresses the plaque and stretches the artery wall to expand, improving blood flow.

Patients

Peripheral angioplasty (PTA) is one of the most common treatments for atherosclerosis (hardening of an artery due to plaque) or Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD). PAD can cause pain and cramps in the legs during exercise (also known as claudication), pain when resting, or open sores due to lack of blood flow. It can also affect the carotid arteries which supply blood to the brain and renal arteries which supply blood to the kidneys.

The risk factors for PAD and atherosclerosis are the same as those associated with coronary disease. Controlling the risk factors, such as quitting smoking, may help reduce symptoms.

Peripheral artery disease can be detected using non-invasive tests such as an ankle-brachial index which measures blood flow. Once detected, your physician may order an angiogram.

During the angioplasty procedure, the physician may use local anesthesia or sedation. The physician will work to open up “blocked” or narrowed arteries by passing a thin flexible tube (balloon catheter) through the groin to the area that is affected. The balloon is then inflated in the affected area to push the plaque against the walls of the artery to improve blood flow. Once completed, the balloon is deflated and withdrawn from the artery. During some procedures, the physician may decide to prop open the artery using a stent (a metal tube).