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PTA of the Femoral Artery - During
During the Procedure
Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty of the femoral artery requires a stay in the hospital. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your physician's practices.
Generally, a PTA of the femoral artery procedure follows this process:
- You will be asked to remove any jewelry or other objects that may interfere with the procedure.
- You will be asked to remove clothing and will be given a gown to wear.
- You will be asked to empty your bladder prior to the procedure.
- An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your hand or arm prior to the procedure for injection of medication and to administer IV fluids, if needed.
- You will be placed in a supine (on your back) position on the procedure table.
- You will be connected to an ECG monitor that records the electrical activity of the heart and monitors the heart during the procedure using small, adhesive electrodes. Your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing rate, and oxygenation level) will be monitored during the procedure.
- You will receive a sedative medication in your IV before the procedure to help you relax. However, you will likely remain awake, but sleepy, during the procedure.
- Your pulses below the insertion site will be checked and marked so that the circulation to the limb below the site can be checked after the procedure.
- A local anesthetic will be injected into the skin at the insertion site. You may feel some stinging at the site for a few seconds after the local anesthetic is injected.
- Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, a sheath, or introducer, will be inserted into the blood vessel. This is a plastic tube through which the catheter will be inserted into the femoral artery.
- A special catheter/guidewire will be inserted into the femoral artery and advanced to the site of the blockage.
- The proper position of the catheter may be confirmed by injecting a small amount of contrast dye into the artery, which may then be seen on a TV-like monitor.
- The physician will insert an angioplasty catheter and advance it to the location of the blockage. A balloon at the tip of the catheter will be inflated to open the artery.
- The physician may inflate and deflate the balloon several times to open the artery. In some situations, a stent (a tiny, expandable metal coil) may be inserted into the newly-opened area of the artery to help keep the artery from narrowing or closing again.
- Once it has been determined that the artery is opened sufficiently, the angioplasty catheter will be removed.
- The insertion site may be closed with a closure device that uses collagen to seal the opening in the artery or with sutures. Your physician will determine which method is appropriate for your condition.
- A sterile dressing/bandage will be applied.