Angioplasty and Stenting

Invasive treatment is not generally recommended or required for patients with claudication. It may be necessary only if you do not respond to conservative treatment and the claudication symptoms are severely interfering with your daily activities and quality of life. Angioplasty is a keyhole procedure (endovascular surgery) that opens up narrowed and blocked arteries by inflating a small balloon inserted via the groin. After an angioplasty, a stent (wire mesh tube) may be placed within the artery to hold the artery open.