Peripheral balloon
Peripheral balloon catheters are polymer, long tubes ended with a special balloon used during peripheral arterial angioplasty, i.e., widening of a narrowed artery of the upper or lower limb (PTA). Peripheral arteries are vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood to the limbs, thus ensuring their proper function. Peripheral angioplasty procedures are performed in patients with atherosclerosis of the limb arteries and persistent symptoms (e.g., pain while walking, tingling, coldness) despite the implemented pharmacological treatment.
How peripheral ballons work
Balloon catheters widen the lumen of the pathologically changed peripheral artery. Unlike coronary artery procedures, balloon angioplasty is often the final stage of PTA. Nevertheless, balloon angioplasty is usually performed to prepare the vessel for stent implantation (predilation). Peripheral balloons can also be used to optimize the stenting procedure. During the so-called post-dilation, a balloon catheter increases the diameter of the stent and the degree of its adherence to the vessel wall. In the case of PTA procedures, OTW balloons are most often used.