Minimally Invasive

Only a tiny needle puncture in the skin is needed

Faster Recovery

Recovery is typically just a couple of days

Fewer Risks

Rate of complications is much lower than surgery

The Peripheral Artery Disease Solution

Discover why patients are choosing these FDA-approved alternatives to open surgery for treating PAD.

If you’ve been diagnosed with peripheral artery disease (PAD), you may have been told that peripheral artery bypass surgery is your only treatment option. However, did you know that there are FDA-approved non-surgical alternatives currently available to successfully treat PAD?

Treating PAD with Interventional Radiology

The procedures that Advantage IR doctors use to treat PAD are part of a medical specialty called Interventional Radiology (IR). This refers to the use of radiological image guidance to precisely target and treat a range of medical conditions and diseases. 

Interventional radiologists are doctors who are specially trained to do minimally invasive vascular procedures, such as angioplasty and embolization, to treat a variety of conditions. Because many IR procedures start with passing a needle through the skin to the target, it's often called "pinhole surgery."

When treating PAD, each patient is evaluated and the treatment approach is individualized for the patient's circumstances. The next section discusses three treatment options for PAD. 

Minimally Invasive IR Treatments for PAD

Angioplasty: Uses imaging guidance to insert a catheter (thin tube) into a blocked or narrowed artery. The catheter has a tiny balloon on its tip that is inflated to push plaque against the artery's walls to widen the path for blood flow.

Stenting: Uses imaging guidance to direct a balloon catheter, and then a stent, to the site of the blockage. The balloon is inflated to open the blockage, and then deflated and taken out, leaving the stent in place to keep the artery open.

Atherectomy: Uses imaging guidance and a catheter specially designed to remove plaque and collect it in a chamber in the tip. This allows removal of the plaque as the device is removed from the artery. Atherectomy may be used alone or in combination with balloon angioplasty to facilitate the placement of stents.

Faster Recovery. Greater Comfort.

Recovery from IR treatment is much faster than invasive surgery because there is no incision to heal or stitches to be removed. The risk of bleeding and complications is lower than with invasive surgery.

You can usually begin normal activities again several days after the procedure. Your doctor will provide specific guidelines for your recovery. Complications are rare for those who adopt a healthy lifestyle. 

Compare that to bypass surgery which often requires long surgical incisions, a 3 to 7 day hospital stay, and 6 to 8 weeks for full recovery.  Leg bypass surgery carries significant risks including heart attacks, blood clots, infections, and even death in 2-3% of patients.

Why Choose Advantage IR?

Advantage IR is at the forefront of the latest Interventional Radiology procedures that provide an effective alternative to surgery with minimal recovery time. From our doctors to our clinical staff, you will receive the quality care you deserve in a safe and comfortable environment.

Advantage IR uses state of the art equipment to provide the best in patient outcomes and care. All of our interventional radiologists are board-certified and have extensive experience and success using these minimally invasive techniques to treat patients with a variety of disorders.