Like the arteries leading to the heart, peripheral arteries that supply blood to the head and neck, kidneys and abdomen and legs can also become blocked. Oklahoma Heart Institute offers a variety of procedures to reopen these arteries and restore blood flow.
Much like balloon angioplasty is performed to clear blockages leading to the heart, the same technique is used to repair arteries in other areas of the body. A tiny balloon affixed to the end of a catheter is inflated within the artery to open the narrowed area.
A small, mesh-like tube called a stent is sometimes placed in the artery to ensure that it remains open and prevent it from narrowing again. In some cases, the stents are coated with special medications that slowly release into the bloodstream to help prevent re-closure.