Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD), also known as hardening of the arteries, causes build-up of plaque in arteries. In the heart, this causes heart attacks. In the neck, PVD can lead to a stroke. In the legs, PVD can cause pain with walking and eventually constant pain, ulcers that will not heal and even lead to amputations.

These blockages can often be treated with catheters with balloons on the end to widen the artery (angioplasty). Sometimes it is best to also put a stent in the artery to help hold it open. A stent is a tube made of a metal mesh that also goes in with a catheter. These techniques are also used by Dr. Wilson to treat blockages of the arteries to the kidneys and the arms.

We now have some new technologies called LASER atherectomy and mechanical atherectomy that can actually remove the buildup inside of the artery. Using these techniques, stents are needed less often.

All of these procedures are minimally invasive. A catheter is inserted into the artery in the groin area at the top of the leg. The patient is sedated with medication, but does not need general anesthesia. Most patients are keep in the hospital overnight and are back to routine activity the next day. Some cases can be done as an outpatient procedure with the patient going home the same day.

If you have pain in the legs, especially the calves, that happens every time you walk and stops when you stop, then you may have PVD. If you have ulcers of the feet that will not heal, you may have severe PVD.

We would be happy to evaluate your vessels and see if one of these treatments if right for you. Call our office for an appointment (870)425-3737.

Balloon angioplasty

Stent deployment

Atherectomy start

Atherectomy midway

Atherectomy after 1st pass