Venoplasty Procedure

Venoplasty

Our team of specially trained interventional radiologists at Vascular & Interventional Partners in Phoenix, AZ, regularly performs venoplasty procedures on an outpatient basis. As a nonsurgical and minimally invasive procedure, this treatment has few risks and relatively quick recovery.

A permanent treatment option for venous problems, venoplasty can significantly improve your quality of life, including physical functioning and well-being. It can also allow you to be less reliant on medication.

What Is a Venoplasty Procedure?

Your veins play an important part in healthy circulation. They are special blood vessels that return deoxygenated blood from your organs to the heart to be resupplied with oxygen. As people age, their veins may become weakened or blocked, which compromises normal circulation and can lead to discomfort, pain, and chronic health problems. This targeted procedure can help restore normal vein functioning in these cases.

Venoplasty — also known as venous angioplasty, balloon venoplasty, percutaneous venoplasty, and liberation therapy — is a minimally invasive vascular treatment for blocked or narrowed veins. It is essentially an angioplasty for venous diseases and is performed by doctors specially trained in interventional radiology.

What Is a Venoplasty Procedure?

Diseases affecting the veins that can be treated with a venoplasty include:

  • Chronic deep vein thrombosis
  • May-Thurner syndrome
  • Post-thrombotic syndrome
  • Nutcracker syndrome
  • Hemodialysis/arteriovenous fistulae
  • Iliac vein compression syndrome

A venoplasty is not a major surgery. Instead, it is a minimally invasive procedure that can be performed on an outpatient basis and without the need for general anesthesia. There is minimal scarring and downtime with this procedure, and risks are relatively low.

What to Expect During a Venoplasty

As an Interventional Radiology procedure, a venoplasty involves using a balloon-tipped catheter and X-ray image guidance to restore normal blood flow to blocked or collapsed veins. In some cases, doctors may also implant venous stents (expandable mesh coils) in the affected veins to prevent future collapse.

One of our specially trained vascular surgeons creates a small picture during the procedure, usually in your groin. Next, they insert a thin catheter into the picture and through one of your large arteries, usually the femoral artery. Using real-time X-ray imaging (fluoroscopy) guidance, they direct the catheter toward the affected vein.

Once the catheter is set, your medical professional inflates and deflates a small balloon to help widen the collapsed vein. In some cases, they may also place a stent to prevent the vein from collapsing in the future, although this isn't necessary for all patients.

After this procedure is complete, the surgeon removes the catheter and applies pressure to the puncture site to stop bleeding. Most venoplasty procedures are performed on an outpatient basis and under moderate sedation. People who undergo this treatment are able to go home the same day.

How to Prepare

During one of your appointments at Vascular & Interventional Partners in Phoenix, AZ, we will provide you with a set of specific instructions on how to prepare for this procedure.

We will take a careful look at your medical history and perform blood work and other medical testing to see if this treatment is right for you. You will need to disclose which medication and substances you are currently on, if any, including dietary supplements.

We may ask you to stop taking blood-thinning medication and supplements, like Aspirin, Warfarin, and vitamin E, for a couple of days before your procedure. You will need to avoid all food and drink on the night before your procedure and have someone ready to drive you home upon your discharge.

How to Prepare
Benefits
vs
Risks

Like most medical procedures, a venoplasty comes with benefits but also certain risks.

Benefits
  • As a non-surgical procedure, there is no need for incisions, stitches and general anesthesia
  • Recovery is quick, with most patients resuming normal day-to-day activity within 24 hours
  • Very low risk of infection and other complications
  • Minimal blood loss and pain
Risks
  • Bruising at the puncture site, although this is rare
  • Five to 20 percent risk of re-narrowing of the vein, even with state placement
  • Blood clot formation around the stent
  • Bleeding at the puncture site that may require a blood transfusion
  • The dye used for x-ray image guidance can cause kidney injury in patients with kidney disease

Learn More

At Vascular & Interventional Partners, we know that deep venous diseases can cause uncomfortable symptoms and reduce a person's quality of life. We also know that patients prefer the most effective and minimally invasive treatment options available, so we help our patients find relief from deep venous diseases by providing venoplasty procedures. To learn more about this procedure and find out if it's right for you, contact or call us today at (480) 435-9100.

Schedule A Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is the difference between venoplasty vs. angioplasty?

Angioplasty refers to procedures that utilize balloons to open narrowed blood vessels. A venoplasty is an angioplasty procedure for conditions affecting veins as opposed to arteries. That is why it is also often referred to as venous angioplasty.

How successful is venoplasty?

Success rates for venoplasty procedures vary depending on what diseases are being treated and patient characteristics. Failure rates are usually below 10 percent, however.

Does venoplasty hurt?

You will be given sedatives and a local anesthetic before your procedure to minimize pain and discomfort. You may feel a dull ache or pressure in the area where the catheter is inserted as well as discomfort around the vein where the balloon is placed. The treatment area may feel sore after your procedure; however, sharp pain is rare.

Is venoplasty safe?

All angioplasty procedures are generally safe, although complications can and do occur. Prolonged bleeding, allergic reactions and kidney problems are some things we look out for when caring for our patients undergoing venoplasty and similar treatments.