What are the options for more severe peripheral arterial disease?

Intervention for peripheral arterial disease has traditionally involved open vascular surgery, such as endarterectomy to clean out the artery directly or bypass to restore flow beyond the blockage. However, more recently the development of minimally invasive keyhole surgery (endovascular surgery) through the groin allows for restoration of flow through angioplasty, where balloons are used to open the arteries, and stenting (inserting a scaffold), where a scaffold is used to hold arteries open. A patients’ suitability for open vascular surgery or endovascular surgery depends on a detailed examination of the arteries using angiography where dye is used to image the arteries.