Main Menu
Treatment
PAD Treatment: Preparing for Atherectomy
PAD Treatment: Preparing for AtherectomyWhen you have peripheral artery disease, your healthcare provider may recommenda procedure called atherectomy to restore healthy blood flow. Atherectomy may bean outpatient treatment, which means you arrive at the hospital the same day as yourtreatment and can go home later that day, or you may stay overnight.Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for youratherectomy, but here are some general guidelines:Be honest about all the medications you are taking. You may be asked to stop takingcertain medications, including vitamins and supplements, several days before yourtreatment. And bring a list of your medications with you to the hospital for yourhealthcare team to review prior to you procedure.It is important to let your healthcare team know as early as possible if you are allergicto latex, anesthesia, iodine or contrast agents, antibiotics or shellfish.The night before the procedure, you may be asked not to eat or drink anythingafter midnight. If you are told to continue to take certain medications, take them onschedule with as little water as possible.You may be asked to arrive a few hours before the procedure is scheduled. If notalready done, any remaining pre-procedure tests will be completed.An I.V. will be started to provide you with fluids and medication during the procedure.The place on your leg where the catheter will be inserted will be cleaned to preventinfection. Next, you’ll be moved to the procedure room.Throughout it, you’ll be relaxed but not asleep. You’ll be given a local anesthetic tonumb the area of your leg where the catheter will be inserted. You may feel the stingof the injection, but you shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure. If you do, letyour doctor know.20% gradient meshDuring the atherectomy procedure, a catheter, with a small, sharp razor attached to it,will be guided through the artery to the narrowed spot. The razor will shave awaythehealthclipsplaque build-up, widening the artery so that blood flows easily again. Your healthcarehealthclipsprovider may choose to use a laser instead, to clear the blockage.The atherectomy procedure usually takes about one hour.healthclips(cont. next page)healthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10202_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshpad treatment: Preparing for AtherectomyTranscript (page 2 of 2)Back in the post-procedure area, your blood pressure and pulse will be monitored andthe insertion site will be examined. You’ll be asked to keep your leg still and straightfor a few hours after the catheter has been removed. You may bend your other leg tomake your back more comfortable.As you recover, you’ll also be asked to drink plenty of fluids. You will probably be upand walking later in the day and can go home as soon as your doctor advises.Before you leave, your healthcare team will let you know how to take care of yourselfat home. You may be advised not to drive for the first couple of days after theprocedure, so arrange to have someone take you home.If you have any questions about atherectomy, meet with your healthcare provider.This procedure is necessary to prevent the long-term complications of PAD. Yourhealthcare provider wants you to feel comfortable and prepared for your treatment.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10202_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
Featured in
Because every beat matters, our cardiac doctors are dedicated to providing care like no other can.
Browse heart doctors
Watch what you will need to do, and what your healthcare team does, before and immediately after your angioplasty and stenting procedures.
Watch how this procedure clears blockages and restores blood flow in the arteries of your arms and legs.
See what to expect as you recover from the atherectomy procedure.
Watch how arteries in your heart become too narrowed and blocked, and how this procedure can restore blood flow.
