Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the narrowing and blockage of the blood vessels outside your heart. It is caused by a buildup of plaque (fatty deposits) inside the walls of your arteries.The reduced blood flow can affect your extremities and if left untreated could lead to amputation. Angioplasty and stent placement are two of the most successful treaments. Very thin balloons can be placed inside the blocked blood vessel and inflated by interventional radiologists. This increases the size of the vessel and improves the flow of the arteries. At the same time, a more permanent solution can be inserted inside the narrowed artery with a mesh like metal called a stent. 

 

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Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)