During a Doppler evaluation, your doctor, nurse, or trained technician uses a special stethoscope to listen for changes in blood flow that may indicate a problem.

This technique bounces sound waves off of your arteries to create an image that shows the size and shape of your vessels. It also measures the amount of blood flow.

This test is used to plan surgery, if needed. During an arteriogram, a special dye is injected through a needle in your artery. An x-ray is taken that shows the location and degree of the blockage. You’ll be awake during the test. You may feel pressure from the needle and a spreading of warmth as the dye is released. In most cases, an arteriogram takes an hour or less.

Peripheral angioplasty is a procedure that helps open blockages in peripheral arteries. A tiny incision is made in your groin. This is the insertion site. Your vascular surgeon will insert a catheter into the side and slide it through an artery while viewing a video monitor. A contrast dye is then injected into the catheter and x-ray images are taken. A tiny balloon is pushed through the catheter to the blockage. The surgeon will then inflate and deflate the balloon a few times to compress the plaque. The balloon and catheter are then removed.

A stent is a small metal or mesh tube. It is sometimes used to help keep your artery open. If you need a stent, your doctor will place it in your artery during angioplasty. The surgeon fits the stent over the balloon and then slides it through the catheter to the area where the blockage is. The balloon is then inflated, pressing the stent against the artery wall. The balloon is removed and the stent stays in place.

A bypass is like a detour around a traffic jam. During bypass surgery, your surgeon creates a new path for blood flow. Blood can then pass around the part of an artery that is narrowed or blocked. Bypass surgery relieves symptoms by letting more blood flow to the leg and foot.