Purpose:
1. In cases of people having a high cholesterol level, a fatty substance called plaque attaches to the walls of the arteries.This condition is known as atherosclerosis.nThe plaque accumulation inside the arteries leads to the narrowing of the arteries and reduces the space that is available for the blood to flow.
2. The arteries in the arms and legs, and other arteries that are farthest from the heart are known as peripheral arteries. Peripheral angioplasty is a mode of treatment for peripheral artery disease in the limbs when medications and other forms of treatment fail.
3. It can also be used in emergency cases, such as a heart attack or stroke (when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted).

Symptoms:
The symptoms of peripheral artery disease, whose treatment includes peripheral angioplasty, are:

• Color changes in the legs
• Cold feeling in the legs
• Numbness in the legs
• Cramping in the legs after a physical activity
• Erectile dysfunction seen in men
• Soreness in the toes
• Pain relieved by movement

1. Physical examination: The doctor may find symptoms of peripheral artery disease like an absent or weak pulse, poor wound healing, decrease in blood pressure, whooshing sounds over the arteries that can be heard with a stethoscope in the affected area.
2. Ultrasound: A special ultrasound, known as a Doppler ultrasound, can help the doctor evaluate the blood flow through the blood vessels and identify the narrowed or blocked arteries.
3. Ankle-brachial index: This is a common test done for diagnosing peripheral artery disease. The blood pressure in the ankle is compared with the blood pressure in the arm.
4. Blood tests: A sample of your blood is taken to measure the cholesterol and triglycerides, and to check for diabetes.
5. Angiography: A dye is injected into the blood vessels, and the blood flow through the arteries is viewed as it happens by various imaging techniques like x-rays, computerized tomography angiography, or magnetic resonance angiography.
6. Catheter angiography: This is an invasive procedure involving guiding the catheter or a small hollow tube through an artery in the groin to the affected area and injecting the dye. This type of angiography helps in the treatment of a blocked blood vessel at the time of diagnosis.

• Peripheral angioplasty is a minimally invasive medical procedure.
• It is performed under local anesthesia (the area of the procedure is numbed).
• A thin tube known as a diagnostic catheter is inserted through a tiny incision in the hip of the patient.
• X-rays help the surgeon in guiding the catheter through the artery to the blockage site.
• A dye is used for the identification of the site of the blockage.
• After identifying the site of the blockage, another catheter is known as a balloon catheter is then inserted into the artery.
• The balloon is then inflated inside the artery to press the plaque against the wall of the artery allowing the resumption of the normal blood flow.
• The doctor may choose to keep the artery open using metallic stent support.
• After the placement of the stent, the incision is closed.

The complications associated with peripheral angioplasty procedure include:

• Bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clot formation
• Allergic reactions to the x-ray dye or the drug used in a stent releasing medicine into the body
• Damage to blood vessel
• Damage to the nerve, causing numbness or pain in the leg
• Heart attack
• Damage to the artery in the groin, which may require urgent surgery
• Kidney failure (a condition when the kidney fails to perform its normal function and is unable to filter the waste products from the blood)
• Misplacement of the stent
• Stroke (blood supply to the brain is interrupted)
• Failure in opening the affected artery
• Loss of limb

• It is normal for the incision site to be sore and bruised for a few days after the procedure.
• Your movement will be limited after the procedure. Short walks on flat surfaces are encouraged and acceptable. However, going up and down the stairs or walking long distances should be avoided in the first two to three after the procedure.
• Avoid activities like driving, sports, or yard work.
• Your doctor will inform you when to return to your daily activities.
• Complete recovery may take up to 8 weeks.
• Keep the area clean while the incision wound heals, in order to prevent infection.
• Change the dressing regularly.

Inform your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following symptoms:

1. Swelling at the incision site
2. Redness
3. Unusual pain
4. Discharge
5. Bleeding
6. Swelling in the legs
7. Chest pain that does not go away
8. Chills
9. Shortness of breath
10. Fever 
11. Dizziness
12. Extreme weakness
13. Fainting