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10. Are there any side effects?
Some degree of bruising is quite common and this normally disappears in a few days. Serious bleeding is very uncommon but occasionally an operation may be required to stop the artery bleeding. Unfortunately, in about 10% of cases, angioplasty is not successful and other treatments will need to be considered. In addition, even where successful angioplasty has been performed, there is a risk that the area in the artery will narrow down again. After one year, about 20% of arteries will have re-narrowed. In some cases, it may be possible to repeat the angioplasty at that time although in others this may not be possible. Very rarely, if angioplasty does not work, the circulation may actually worsen. Occasionally an emergency operation may be required to restore the circulation. It is even possible to loose your leg as a direct consequence of complications following angioplasty, but this is exceptionally rare. If this is a particular risk in your case, your surgeon and /or radiologist will discuss the risks with you.
11. What can I do to help?
You cannot do anything to relieve the actual narrowing. However, you can improve your general health by taking regular exercise, stopping smoking, reducing the fat in your diet and taking aspirin. These actions will help slow down the hardening of the arteries which caused the problem in the first place, and may avoid the need for further treatment in the future.
Patient information prepared by Mr S. Ashley MS, FRCS, Consultant Vascular Surgeon and The Vascular Surgical Society of Great Britain and Ireland
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