Peripheral angiography and angioplasty (leg arteries)

Category: Heart Tests & Procedures · All heart tests & procedures

What it is

Peripheral angiography takes X-ray pictures of the leg arteries using contrast dye injected through a thin catheter, showing narrowings and blockages. Where suitable, angioplasty treats the narrowing at the same session — a balloon stretches the artery, sometimes leaving a stent to hold it open.

Why it is done

It investigates and treats peripheral arterial disease — leg pain when walking (claudication), pain at rest, and ulcers or gangrene from poor circulation (critical limb ischaemia). CT or MR angiography and ultrasound often map the disease first.

How to prepare

You will have blood tests including kidney function and clotting, and a medicines review (metformin and blood thinners are planned around the procedure). You usually fast for a few hours and are given fluids to protect the kidneys. Tell the team about contrast allergy and kidney disease.

What happens during the procedure

Under local anaesthetic at the groin (or wrist/arm), a catheter is threaded to the leg arteries and dye injections take the pictures — you feel a hot flush as dye goes in. If a narrowing is treated, the balloon inflation may cause a brief ache in the leg. The session takes about one to two hours.

Afterwards — recovery & results

You rest flat for several hours while the puncture seals, with checks of the foot pulses and groin. Many patients go home the same or next day. Walking is encouraged once recovered; smoking cessation, antiplatelet and statin medicines, and exercise are the long-term mainstays. Report a painful, pale or cold foot, or groin swelling, promptly.

Risks & considerations

Risks include bruising or bleeding at the puncture (occasionally a significant haematoma or false aneurysm), contrast effects on kidneys and allergy, artery injury or distal blockage from dislodged debris, and re-narrowing over time. Your vascular team will discuss your anatomy and alternatives, including bypass surgery.

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Frequently asked questions

Angioplasty or bypass — how is it decided?

It depends on the pattern and length of disease, your overall fitness, and vein availability for bypass. Shorter narrowings suit angioplasty; long or complex blockages often do better with bypass. A vascular multidisciplinary team decides.

Will it fix my walking pain?

Improving blood flow usually improves walking distance and is essential for healing ulcers. Supervised exercise also has strong evidence for claudication and is offered alongside.

Related procedures — Heart Tests & Procedures

Angioplasty and stent (PCI)Cardiac ablation (catheter ablation)Cardiac catheterisation — right heart cath Cardiac event recorder / patch monitor Cardioversion (DC shock treatment)Coronary angiogram (cardiac catheterisation)

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Please note: This page is educational information about a medical procedure or test. It does not replace the instructions of your own care team, who know your situation and whose preparation, fasting and medication advice you should follow if it differs from anything here. If you have symptoms that worry you, or an appointment you do not understand, contact your clinical team.