Peripheral Artery or Venous Angioplasty: What to Expect at Home

Your Recovery

Peripheral artery angioplasty (say "puh-RIFF-er-rull AR-ter-ree ANN-jee-oh-plass-tee") and venous angioplasty are procedures that widen narrowed arteries or veins in the pelvis, legs, or arms. Your doctor used a tube called a catheter to find narrowed arteries or veins and then widened them.

You may have a bruise or a small lump where the catheter was put in a blood vessel. The area may feel sore for a few days after the procedure. You can do light activities at home. But don't do anything strenuous until your doctor says it is okay. This may be for several days.

After surgery, blood may flow better throughout your leg or arm. This can decrease pain, numbness, and cramping.

You will likely have regular checkups with your doctor to check your arteries or veins.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for you to recover. But each person recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for yourself at home?

Activity

• Do not do strenuous exercise and do not lift anything heavy until your doctor says it is okay. This may be for several days. You can walk around your home and do light activity, such as cooking.
• Go back to regular exercise when your doctor says it is okay.
• If you work, you may need to take 1 or 2 days off. It depends on the type of work you do and how you feel.
• If the catheter was placed in your groin, try not to walk up stairs for the first couple of days.
• If the catheter was placed in your arm near your wrist, do not bend your wrist deeply for the first couple of days. Be careful using your hand to get into and out of a chair or bed.
• If you got a stent, carry your stent identification card with you at all times.

Diet

• Drink plenty of fluids to help your body flush out the dye. If you have kidney, heart, or liver disease and have to limit fluids, talk with your doctor before you increase the amount of fluids you drink.
• Eat heart-healthy foods. These include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. If you have not been eating this way, talk to your doctor. You also may want to talk to a dietitian. This expert can help you learn about healthy foods and plan meals.

Medicines

• Your doctor will tell you if and when you can restart your medicines. The doctor will also give you instructions about taking any new medicines.
• If you stopped taking aspirin or some other blood thinner, your doctor will tell you when to start taking it again.
• Be safe with medicines. Take your medicines exactly as prescribed. Call your doctor if you think you are having a problem with your medicine.
• Your doctor may prescribe a blood thinner when you go home. This helps prevent blood clots. Be sure you get instructions about how to take your medicine safely. Blood thinners can cause serious bleeding problems.

Care of the catheter site

• Keep a bandage over the spot where the catheter was inserted for the first day, or for as long as your doctor recommends.
• Put ice or a cold pack on the area for 10 to 20 minutes at a time to help with soreness or swelling. Do this every few hours. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• You may shower 24 to 48 hours after the procedure, if your doctor okays it. Pat the incision dry.
• Do not soak the catheter site until it is healed. Don't take a bath for 1 week, or until your doctor tells you it is okay.
• Watch for bleeding from the site. A small amount of blood (up to the size of a quarter) on the bandage can be normal.
• If you are bleeding, lie down and press on the area for 15 minutes to try to make it stop. If the bleeding does not stop, call your doctor or seek immediate medical care.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, call if:

• You passed out (lost consciousness).
• You have severe trouble breathing.
• You have sudden chest pain and shortness of breath, or you cough up blood.

Call your doctor now or seek immediate medical care if:

• You are bleeding from the area where the catheter was put in your artery or vein.
• You have a fast-growing, painful lump at the catheter site.
• You have signs of infection, such as:
  • Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness of the skin.
  • Red streaks leading from the area.
  • Pus draining from the area.
  • A fever.
• Your leg or hand is painful, cold, tingly, or numb or looks pale, bluish, or purplish.

Watch closely for changes in your health, and be sure to contact your doctor if you have any problems.