Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that can open blocked arteries and restore blood flow to the brain. Angioplasty is often done on an emergency basis in order to restore blood flow in a completely blocked artery that causes a stroke, but it can also be performed to support normal blood flow in arteries that are partially blocked or narrowed by accumulations of plaque. If you’ve been diagnosed with narrowing or blockage of an artery that could be resolved with angioplasty, it’s important to find the right doctor for your procedure.
What Is Angioplasty?
Arteries can become blocked or narrowed due to a buildup of plaque, a fatty substance consisting of cholesterol deposits and certain kinds of cells that can stick to artery walls. As plaque accumulates, blood is less able to flow freely through the artery – and if enough plaque forms, the artery becomes completely closed to blood flow. As plaque hardens and cracks, blood clots and bits of plaque can also break free and travel to smaller arteries in the brain, causing new blockages there.
Angioplasty can be a relatively safe procedure for opening blocked arteries in many patients. The typical hospital stay for a relatively healthy person having an angioplasty is two days – and in some cases, patients are able to go home the next day.
During an angioplasty, a small incision is made either in the artery in the wrist or the large femoral artery of the leg. Surgeons guide a tiny catheter bearing a small balloon through this artery to the site of the blockage. There, the balloon is inflated, pressing plaque deposits back against the artery walls so that blood can flow more freely.
In many cases, surgeons may also place a stent in the artery – a mesh tube that remains in place and keeps the artery from narrowing again. Most stents are permanent, but some can dissolve over time. Stents may also be coated with medications to keep plaque and blood clots from forming on the stent and causing new blockages.
Angioplasty can restore blood flow through a blocked artery, but it isn’t a cure for the overall health conditions that contribute to blockages. To manage those conditions and prevent new obstructions from developing, doctors typically prescribe medications to control cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. They may also recommend lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, getting regular exercise and following a healthy diet.
Looking for a Doctor: Key Considerations
Angioplasty procedures of the neck are best performed by neurosurgeons, or other experts who are specifically trained in brain procedures. Those procedures are done in the hospital setting. Finding a specialist you trust and respect is an important first step toward the success of the procedure and your recovery from it. Some things to consider when looking for an angioplasty surgeon include:
Experience and Training
Explore a prospective neurosurgeon’s profile and background for information on the extent of their training and experience in performing angioplasty procedures. If you’ve scheduled a consultation with a potential candidate, ask how many procedures the neurosurgeon has performed and what complications have occurred.
Professional Affiliations
Consider a neurosurgeon’s professional affiliations, accreditations and associations with leading institutions specializing in cerebrovascular medicine. You may want to find out about a neurosurgeon’s recent research and publications related to your procedure, or in other areas of cerebrovascular medicine and surgery.
Personal Qualities
Expertise and qualifications are essential, but it’s also important to feel comfortable with your neurosurgeon. Does your prospective doctor answer all your questions and listen to your concerns? Is this doctor willing to work with you to accommodate your unique circumstances? Do you feel respected and valued in your interactions with the doctor? If not, you may want to continue your search.
Research, Reviews and Referrals
You may become connected with an angioplasty neurosurgeon because your primary care doctor or a cardiovascular specialist has made a direct referral. But if not, or if you aren’t comfortable with that recommendation, there are a number of other strategies you can use to locate the right doctor for your procedure.
Read Online Reviews
Online forums related to your condition and the sites for individual practices and hospitals often provide an option for patients to rate their doctor and talk about their experiences, so you can use these review sites to find out about a doctor’s level of experience and “bedside manner.” When reading reviews, look for specific examples and details about a doctor’s performance in a given situation, rather than vague generalities.
Research Websites
Visit the doctor’s personal website and the sites of any clinics, hospitals or other institutions they’re associated with. This can provide an overview of a doctor’s expertise and professional connections, as well as a look at their associates and the facilities they use. These sites often include reviews not only of doctors, but also of the institutions themselves and other staff you can expect to encounter during your procedure and recovery.
Get Personal and Professional Recommendations
Family and friends can also provide recommendations about doctors, if they’ve had a similar procedure or know someone who has. Talk with other providers on your healthcare team too. Although they may not be directly connected to cerebrovascular medicine, they may be able to recommend someone with a solid reputation in the community.
Angioplasty is a largely safe and minimally invasive procedure that can ease blockages in arteries. With a little research and a few key questions to ask, you’ll be able to find the angioplasty neurosurgeon who’s right for you.
