Stent Placement for PAD in NY
At American Endovascular, we specialize in minimally invasive PAD treatments, including stent placement for patients in New York. If you’re experiencing blocked arteries due to peripheral artery disease (PAD), a stent may be the solution to restore proper blood flow.
A stent is a small mesh tube made out of metal designed to expand a narrowed or blocked artery in the leg that will not stay open on its own. Stents are often used with a balloon angioplasty to treat peripheral artery disease. An angioplasty stent may be permanently placed within the blocked artery to hold it open and improve blood flow.
Benefits of Stent Placement
Stent placements for peripheral artery disease offer many advantages over traditional surgery. Placing stents in the blocked arteries of the legs can help alleviate common PAD symptoms like pain, cramping, and fatigue. Treating blocked arteries with stenting also offers the following benefits:
- Effectively restores blood flow to the legs
- Faster recovery than surgery
- Less invasive than surgery
- No hospital stay required
- Lower cost than a surgical procedure
- Return to regular activities fairly quickly
Candidates for Stent Placement
If you have a blocked artery in your legs, you may need an angioplasty with stenting to keep your blood flowing to prevent serious health problems caused by PAD. Your vascular specialist may recommend a stent placement if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Chronic leg pain or rest pain
- Discoloration on legs and feet
- Feelings of numbness or weakness in the legs
- Muscle cramping and calf pain
- Leg or foot wounds that will not heal
- Moderate to severe narrowing or blockage in arteries
How to Prepare for a Stent Placement
Before your stent placement, one of our affiliated vascular specialists in NY will explain to you what happens before, during, and after your procedure. Preparation for your stent procedure may also involve the following:
- Review of family history and past medical history
- Discussing allergies to medication or contrast dye
- Image tests (CT, MRI, or ultrasound) to detect blocked arteries
- Reduce or stop medications that may increase your risk of bleeding
- Stop drinking or eating 6 hours before your procedure
- Arrange for someone to drive you home
Schedule an Appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.
How is a Stent Procedure Performed
Our affiliated vascular specialists are experts in performing minimally invasive, image-guided stent placements in New York. Here’s what to expect during the procedure:
- Local Anesthesia: The procedure is typically done under local anesthesia to numb the area.
- Catheter Insertion: A thin catheter is inserted into an artery, usually in the groin.
- Guided Placement: Using real-time imaging, the doctor guides the catheter to the blockage.
- Stent Deployment: A small balloon inflates to expand the artery, and the stent is placed to keep it open.
- Balloon Removal: The balloon is removed, and the stent remains in place, allowing improved blood flow. The entire procedure generally takes an hour.
Stent Placement Recovery Time
After the stent placement, you will be monitored for a few hours in our outpatient center to ensure there are no complications. You may feel some soreness, bruising, or mild pain at the catheter insertion site (usually in the groin). This is normal and should subside within a few days. However, recovery from a stent placement procedure is generally quick, especially since it is a minimally invasive treatment. Most patients can return home the same day and resume light activities within a week. While you can start moving around within 24 hours, avoid lifting heavy objects, running, or strenuous activities for at least a few days.
What to Expect After Stent Placement
After undergoing stent placement, many patients experience immediate relief from symptoms such as leg pain, numbness, or difficulty walking due to improved blood flow. Most patients feel better blood flow almost immediately after the procedure, especially if they previously experienced pain or cramping while walking. A stent can last for years, but its long-term effectiveness depends on maintaining a healthy lifestyle and following your doctor’s instructions.
Your doctor will schedule a check-up within a week or two to ensure the stent is functioning properly. He or she will monitor and adjust your medications to prevent blood clots from forming inside the stent, including prescribing blood thinners or antiplatelet medications (such as aspirin or clopidogrel). Your doctor may also recommend adopting a heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, and quitting smoking to prevent future blockages and improve the effectiveness of your stent.
Why Choose American Endovascular for a Stent Placement?
When it comes to stent placement for PAD, choosing the right vascular specialist is crucial for achieving the best results. At American Endovascular, we are leaders in minimally invasive PAD treatments, offering expert care, cutting-edge imaging technology, and personalized patient treatment plans for any stage of PAD.
Our team of highly experienced vascular specialists is dedicated to helping patients restore blood flow, relieve symptoms, and improve their overall quality of life with safe, effective, and minimally invasive stent procedures that involve less pain, fewer risks, and a shorter recovery time.
Our Vascular Specialists in NY
At American Endovascular, our team consists of board-certified, fellowship-trained vascular specialists in New York who are among the best in the field. Our doctors have decades of experience in minimally invasive procedures and have helped thousands of patients regain mobility and avoid serious complications like amputation due to PAD.
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Schedule an Appointment at your nearest American Endovascular affiliated center.