PAD Treatment at Georgia Endovascular in Atlanta

Percutaneous Transluminal Angioplasty (PTA) Treatment

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is a medical procedure used to treat constricted or blocked blood vessels. PTA is a minimally invasive technique that involves the placement of a narrow tube, called a catheter, into the affected blood vessel. The catheter is then guided to the site of the blockage using X-ray imaging.

Once the catheter has accessed the obstruction, a small balloon at its tip is inflated. This inflation helps widen the narrowed or congested artery, improving blood flow. The balloon is then collapsed and extracted, leaving the blood vessel open and allowing for enhanced circulation.

In addition to balloon angioplasty, PTA can also involve the placement of a stent. A stent is a small, mesh, cylindrical device that is inserted into the blood vessel after the balloon angioplasty. The stent opens the artery and prevents future obstruction.

PTA is a minimally invasive alternative to traditional open surgery. It offers several advantages, including shorter recovery time, reduced risk of complications, and less scarring.

Common PAD Risk Factors

The primary risk factor for PAD is tobacco use.

Other common risk factors include:

• Older age: being 50 and older
• Having diabetes
• Having high blood cholesterol
• Having high blood pressure
• Having heart disease
• Having abdominal obesity

Find out if our Minimally Invasive PAD Procedure is right for you.

Signs and Symptoms of PAD

While peripheral arterial disease (PAD) can develop gradually over the years, some people might not experience any symptoms at all. However, in many cases, PAD presents with mild cramping or leg pain that occurs early on during activities like walking or running. This pain typically subsides with rest but returns when the activity resumes.

Too often, patients do not seek professional care until their health worsens to the point that PAD symptoms become severe and debilitating.

The most common symptoms of PAD include:

Leg pain or discomfort

Among the most common symptoms of PAD are aching, cramping, and leg fatigue. These symptoms are usually evident while being active. This cramping or discomfort usually occurs with activities such as walking or exercise. Pain or cramping is usually experienced in the calf, thigh, or buttocks and often subsides with rest.

The type of pain experienced is also an indication of PAD. If the pain is located in the muscle and not the joints, the discomfort is very likely PAD-related.

Numbness or weakness

PAD can cause a feeling of numbness or weakness in the affected limbs. This sensation may be more pronounced during periods of inactivity or when resting with the legs elevated.

Coldness or discoloration

Restricted blood flow to the extremities can lead to coldness or a bluish tint in the affected area. This is particularly noticeable in the toes or feet.

The skin might also have a shiny quality. Peripheral artery disease (PAD) causes changes in the affected area because it deprives the tissues of oxygen and nutrients. This can lead to the coldness, blueness, and shininess of the skin.

Trophic changes refer to changes in the skin caused by reduced blood flow. These changes can include discoloration, thinning, and a decrease in the amount of hair and sweat glands in the affected area.

Slow-healing sores

PAD can impair the body's ability to heal wounds. Individuals with PAD may experience slow-healing sores or ulcers on their toes or feet, which can become infected or gangrenous if left untreated.

Weak or absent pulses

A healthcare professional can assess the strength and regularity of the pulses in the affected limbs. Weak or absent pulses may indicate reduced blood flow due to PAD.

It is critical to note that not all individuals with PAD experience noticeable symptoms. However, even without symptoms, individuals with PAD are still at risk for complications such as non-healing wounds or critical limb ischemia.

Don’t live with unanswered questions like, “Could my symptoms be PAD?” and “What is PAD, anyway?” Contact Georgia Endovascular at the first sign of unusual leg pain during normal daily activities, like walking.

With simple diagnostic testing and minimally invasive treatments available, you do not need to avoid activities you love to keep your leg pain under control.