Main Menu
Treatment
PAD Treatment: Preparing for Femoral Artery Bypass Surgery
PAD Treatment: Preparing for Femoral Artery Bypass SurgeryWhen you have peripheral artery disease, your healthcare provider may recommenda procedure called femoral bypass surgery to create a new route for blood to flow inyour legs.Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for yoursurgery, but here are some general guidelines:Be honest about all the medications you are taking. You may be asked to stop takingcertain medications, including vitamins and supplements, several days before yourtreatment. And bring a list of your medications with you to the hospital for yourhealthcare team to review prior to your procedure.It is important to let your healthcare team know as early as possible if you are allergicto latex, anesthesia, iodine or contrast agents, antibiotics or shellfish.The night before the procedure you may be asked not to eat or drink anythingafter midnight. If you are told to continue to take certain medications, take them onschedule, with as little water as possible.You may be asked to arrive a few hours before the procedure is scheduled. If notalready done, any remaining pre-procedure tests will be completed.Before the procedure, you will be attached to monitors that track your heart rate,blood pressure and pulse. An I.V. will be started to provide you with fluids andmedication during the procedure.If you are given a spinal anesthesia, you will not be able to feel your leg duringsurgery. If you are given a general anesthesia, you will be asleep during your surgery.During femoral bypass surgery, a healthy vessel taken from the leg or arm, or anartificial vessel, is grafted onto the artery above and below the narrowed or blocked20% gradient meshportion. This new pathway bypasses the blockage, restoring blood flow to that part ofthe body.healthclipsFemoral bypass surgery usually takes 2 to 3 hours and you will stay in the hospital forhealthclips1 to 3 days.(cont. nextpage)healthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10199_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshpad treatment: Preparing for Femoral Bypass SurgeryTranscript (page 2 of 2)During your hospital stay, nurses, doctors and other hospital staff will closely monitoryour progress. They will check your blood pressure, temperature and heart rateregularly. To monitor blood flow through the new bypass, hospital staff will check thepulses in your legs, and the color and temperature of your skin.Your I.V. will continue to deliver nutrients, blood pressure medications and specialmedications to control bleeding.As your anesthesia wears off, you will notice the incision site feels sore. Gradually,this pain will go away; but until it does, take your pain medications as directed.When your healthcare team feels you are ready, you will start to move around moreand will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk short distances.As you get stronger, you will be able to go home. But you are not yet fully recovered.Have someone drive you home and stay with you for the first few days of yourrecovery at home.If you have any questions about femoral bypass surgery – how to prepare, what toexpect, or about your recovery – meet with your healthcare provider. This procedureis necessary to prevent the long-term complications of PAD. Your healthcare providerwants you to feel comfortable and prepared for your treatment.20% gradient meshhealthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10199_98_en_t00002.pdf© Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
Featured in
Learn how to prepare yourself for your angioplasty, and watch what occurs during the angioplasty and stenting procedures.
Surgery to bypass a blocked leg artery can ease your symptoms. The bypass is done with a special tube that reroutes blood around a blockage.
Watch this animation to see how surgeons restore normal blood flow within a heart that has narrowed or blocked arteries.
Learn the possible risks of angioplasty and stenting.
