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Why choose Geisinger for angioplasty and stenting?

Angioplasty and stenting help restore blood flow by opening blocked arteries. During the procedure, your doctor guides a thin tube (catheter) through a blood vessel in your arm or groin to the blocked artery. A small balloon is inflated to open the artery, and a stent may be placed to help keep it open.

This procedure is commonly used to treat blocked arteries in the heart, legs and neck. Restoring blood flow can help relieve symptoms, improve circulation and reduce the risk of serious complications. Depending on the location of the blockage, you'll see either a cardiologist or vascular surgeon. 

Angioplasty and stenting can be lifesaving during a heart attack. We treat heart attack patients faster than any other provider in the region, achieving door-to-balloon times that exceed national benchmarks.

Our vascular surgeons also have extensive experience treating blocked arteries in the legs and neck using similar procedures to help restore blood flow.

 

Conditions we treat

Related specialties

FAQs

What’s angioplasty?

Angioplasty opens blocked arteries to restore blood flow. Your doctor inserts a catheter with a tiny balloon into a blood vessel, threads it to the blockage and inflates the balloon to widen the artery. 

What’s a stent?

A stent is a small wire mesh tube your doctor may place in your artery during angioplasty. It helps keep the artery open and prevents it from narrowing again.

Are you awake during angioplasty?

Yes. You'll be awake during the procedure, but your doctor will give you an anesthetic so you won't feel pain. Most people spend 1 night in the hospital and go home the next day.

What conditions does angioplasty treat?

Angioplasty is an effective treatment for coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease and carotid artery disease. It's also a lifesaving treatment for people having a heart attack.

Angioplasty at Geisinger 

Our specialists perform many procedures to improve your heart health. When you come here, you can expect: 

  • Care where you live: With locations in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, you'll find the angioplasty care you need close to home.
  • More heart specialists: Our specialists perform more angioplasty and stenting procedures than other heart programs in the region — and they have advanced training in these interventional techniques.
  • More vascular surgeons: Our specialists perform more angioplasty and stenting procedures than any other program in the area.  Our team has great success at restoring blood flow to the legs, carotid arteries and other blocked vessels.
  • Alternative treatments: Angioplasty is just 1 of many options we offer to treat coronary artery disease and lower your risk for heart attack. We have a robust heart surgery program and have set the standard of care for coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.