Vascular Angioplasty & Stenting

Vascular Angioplasty & Stenting

  • Overview
  • Procedure
  • Who We Treat
  • Appointments
  • Resources
  • Locations
  • Doctors

    • What is vascular angioplasty & stenting?

    A vascular angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that opens narrowed or blocked blood vessels outside of the heart, such as the legs or arms, to restore blood flow and reduce symptoms related to vascular disease. During the procedure, a catheter (small tube) is placed into a narrowed artery or vein and there is a balloon on the end of it. When the balloon is around the blockage, the doctor inflates it. Inflating the balloon stretches out the artery, improving blood flow through the area.  

    A stent (a wire-mesh tube that expands to hold the artery open) is usually placed at the narrowed section or artery or vein during angioplasty to keep it from closing again. 

    How is vascular angioplasty & stenting performed?

    At U-M Health, we offer the opportunity for patients to be enrolled in cutting-edge clinical trials for new, minimally invasive therapies designed to better treat aortic aneurysm and deep venous thrombosis.  Most stent placements are performed as same-day procedures, although a few patients may require an overnight stay. The procedure is most commonly performed with some mild sedation. The groin area is cleaned and numbed. Next, the vein or artery is accessed with a needle and a small tube that allows passage and positioning of the stent into the correct location. The stent is visualized under live x-ray for precise placement. Blood thinners are used to prevent the vein or artery from clotting off during the procedure.  

    After the procedure is complete, the small hole in the artery or vein is sometimes closed with a stitch or natural glue and pressure is held to stop any bleeding. Most patients will need to lie flat for 2-6 hours to prevent groin bruising or bleeding. A sterile dressing is applied to the site. The effect of the stent on improving blood flow is felt immediately. In most cases, you will need to return to your doctor for routine imaging at regular intervals after the procedure to check on the stent and make sure that it stays open. 

    Who We Treat

    The procedure is recommended for:

    Appointment Information

    To make a vascular angioplasty appointment, contact us at 888-287-1082. 

    Locations
    • Vascular Surgery Clinic | Brighton Center for Specialty Care 7500 Challis Rd
      Entrance 1, Level 2
      Brighton, MI 48116-9416       Get Directions
    • Vascular Surgery Clinic | Frankel Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception B
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Robert John Beaulieu, MD

    Robert John Beaulieu, MD

    Clinical Associate Professor

    Vascular Surgery

    Frank Michael Davis, MD

    Frank Michael Davis, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Vascular Surgery

    Jonathan Lee Eliason, MD

    Jonathan Lee Eliason, MD

    Professor

    Vascular Surgery, Surgery

    Katherine Ann Gallagher, MD

    Katherine Ann Gallagher, MD

    Professor

    Vascular Surgery, Surgery

    Peter Kerr Henke, MD

    Peter Kerr Henke, MD

    Professor

    Vascular Surgery, Surgery

    Andrea Tara Obi, MD

    Andrea Tara Obi, MD

    Associate Professor

    Vascular Surgery, Surgery

    Nicholas Osborne, MD, MS

    Nicholas Harold Osborne, MD

    Associate Professor

    Vascular Surgery, Surgery

    Nimesh Anantlal Patel, MD

    Nimesh Anantlal Patel, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Vascular Surgery, Surgery

    News & Stories
    Members of Eugene Chen's laboratory with a basketball
    News Release

    A night of two national titles for U-M, as scientists and basketball players both triumph

    On the same night that the U-M men's basketball team triumphed in the NCAA tournament, U-M cardiovascular researchers won a national tournament of science
         surgeons up close in surgery with scrubs and scrub hats on green teal
    Health Lab

    Failed TAVR? Heart surgeons explain TAVR explant, options and risks

    As transcatheter aortic valve replacement, or TAVR, gains popularity, cardiac surgeons are seeing more cases of failing valves. Two cardiac surgeons from Michigan Medicine explain TAVR explant and other surgical options.
         man hiking navy long sleeve shirt and short tan pants mountains sky behind him
    Health Lab

    Advice from a doctor with heart disease

    A doctor shares his personal experience and tips after getting a triple bypass surgery.
         older couple together in cardiovascular rehab center
    Health Lab

    Rejected elsewhere, farmer gets new lease on life after double valve surgery

    After being turned away elsewhere, an 88-year-old patient gets back to farming after receives an open heart surgery for two failing heart valves.
         woman prepped for surgery with mask going over mouth in surgical setting blue scrubs on all pictured and white gloves
    Health Lab

    Women may face heart surgery delays due to criteria based on male anatomy

    Women may receive heart procedures later due to surgical criteria based off male anatomy, two studies suggest.
         blur of hospital staff moving patient in on stretcher
    Health Lab

    Stroke survivors miss critical treatment, face greater disability due to systemic transfer delays

    Problems with the United States stroke transfer system are drastically reducing survivors’ chances of receiving critical treatment and increasing the likelihood that they will leave the hospital with a disability, a study suggests.