Angioplasty Perth
What is angioplasty and why is it needed?


Angioplasty Perth
What is angioplasty?
“It’s a common treatment for peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition where plaque builds up inside the arteries, particularly in your legs.”

Vascular surgeon Perth
PAD can be more than just uncomfortable—it can lead to serious issues like infections or, in extreme cases, the risk of amputation. Angioplasty is a simple, effective way to get ahead of these problems.
Why angioplasty is needed
- To relieve symptoms: PAD can cause severe leg pain, especially during activities like walking (a condition called claudication). Angioplasty improves blood flow and alleviates these symptoms.
- To prevent complications: Poor blood flow can lead to non-healing wounds or ulcers, which may become infected and increase the risk of amputation. Angioplasty helps prevent these outcomes.
- To save limbs and lives: In severe cases, PAD can lead to critical limb ischaemia, where blood flow to the legs is so limited that tissue begins to die. Angioplasty can restore blood flow and prevent limb loss.
About the procedure
Angioplasty is done in a specialised hospital area called a cath lab, which is equipped with advanced imaging tools and surgical instruments. Here’s what happens during the procedure:
- We use a tiny tube called a catheter, which we guide into the artery through a small puncture in your wrist or groin.
- Once we’ve located the blockage using X-ray imaging, we inflate a tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter. The balloon gently pushes the plaque against the artery walls, opening up the artery so blood can flow freely again. Sometimes, we also insert a small metal tube called a stent to keep the artery open for the long term.
- Sometimes, we also insert a small metal tube called a stent to keep the artery open for the long term.
The actual angioplasty usually can take up to an hour, and you’ll usually spend about an hour in the cath lab altogether. It’s minimally invasive, and you’ll only need a local anaesthetic to keep things comfortable.

Image: Balloon angioplasty
What happens after the procedure?
After the procedure, you may stay in the hospital overnight, just to keep an eye on things and make sure you’re comfortable. Most people are back to their normal activities within a few days. You’ll also get plenty of advice from me and my team on how to take care of yourself going forward, including managing things like smoking, blood pressure, and cholesterol to keep your arteries healthy.
Why it’s important to act early
“Angioplasty is a simple, effective way to improve blood flow, ease your symptoms, and reduce the risk of serious complications. My aim is to help you get back to living your life without worry.”

Vascular surgeon Perth