Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment in Queens & Long Island
Minimally invasive angioplasty and stenting for blocked leg arteries. Outpatient procedure. For claudication, leg pain, and critical limb ischemia.
Why Embolization?
Written by Practice Editorial Team · Medically reviewed by Amir Salem, MD, Vascular & Interventional Radiologist · Last updated April 26, 2026
What is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment?
PAD treatment uses image-guided angioplasty — and when needed, stenting — to reopen narrowed or blocked arteries in the legs. An interventional radiologist accesses the artery through a small needle stick, advances a thin catheter to the blockage under fluoroscopic guidance, and inflates a balloon to restore blood flow. The procedure relieves leg pain when walking (claudication), promotes wound healing in critical limb ischemia, and reduces amputation risk.
PAD treatment may be a good fit for adults who:
- Have leg cramping, pain, or fatigue when walking that resolves with rest (claudication)
- Have non-healing foot wounds or rest pain (critical limb ischemia)
- Have been diagnosed with PAD on ultrasound, ABI, or CTA
- Have diabetes, smoking history, or other PAD risk factors with leg symptoms
What Is Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Treatment?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) occurs when atherosclerosis — the buildup of cholesterol-laden plaque — narrows or blocks the arteries supplying the legs. The result is reduced blood flow that causes leg pain during activity (claudication) and, in advanced cases, rest pain, non-healing wounds, and risk of limb loss (critical limb ischemia).
Endovascular treatment addresses the blockage directly using catheter-based techniques performed under fluoroscopic guidance. Rather than open surgery, a thin catheter is navigated to the site of disease through a small needle puncture. A balloon is inflated to compress the plaque and restore the arterial lumen; a stent may be deployed to maintain patency.
As stated in our practice: Lower Extremity Angiograms and Interventions are indicated for patients with symptoms of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including claudication or critical limb ischemia. Used to diagnose and treat arterial stenosis or occlusions in the lower extremities through angioplasty or stenting.
At M&S Vascular, these procedures are performed by Dr. Amir Salem, our board-certified interventional radiologist, through a single small-bore needle puncture. Most patients are discharged the same day.
Am I a Candidate for PAD Treatment?
Candidacy requires a clinical assessment, vascular imaging, and review of your symptom severity and risk factor profile.
Typical good-fit candidates
- ✓Claudication — leg pain, cramping, or fatigue with walking that stops at rest
- ✓Critical limb ischemia — rest pain or non-healing foot or lower-leg wounds
- ✓ABI or duplex ultrasound confirming significant lower extremity arterial disease
- ✓Diabetes, smoking history, hypertension, hyperlipidemia with leg symptoms
- ✓Failed or intolerant of supervised exercise / medical management
- ✓Anatomy suitable for endovascular approach (assessed by imaging)
Contraindications / not ideal for
- –Anatomy not amenable to endovascular approach (may require surgical consultation)
- –Active infection at access site
- –Severe contrast allergy without ability to pre-medicate
Leg pain when walking? Non-healing foot wound? Get a vascular evaluation.
Request a consultation to review your imaging and symptomsHow PAD Angioplasty and Stenting Works: Step-by-Step
1Pre-procedure vascular imaging and workup
Before the procedure, we review your ABI measurements, duplex ultrasound, and any available CTA or MRA to map the location and extent of arterial disease. This imaging workup guides catheter selection and procedural strategy.
2The angioplasty / stenting procedure
You receive conscious sedation. The interventional radiologist accesses the arterial system through a small needle puncture — typically the femoral artery in the groin or a contralateral approach — and advances a guidewire and catheter to the blockage under real-time X-ray fluoroscopy. A diagnostic angiogram confirms the lesion location and degree of stenosis. A balloon catheter is then inflated across the lesion to compress plaque and restore the arterial lumen. When the vessel requires scaffolding, a stent is deployed.
3Recovery and discharge
After the procedure, you rest briefly in recovery while the access site is monitored. A closure device or manual compression is used at the puncture site. Most patients go home the same day with written instructions, activity restrictions, medication guidance, and a direct contact line for any questions.
What to Expect on the Day of Your Procedure
In our practice, we perform lower extremity angioplasty and stenting under conscious sedation in our fully accredited outpatient suite at Great Neck. You'll arrive approximately one hour before the scheduled start time. Our nursing team will review your allergies, medications, and any questions before Dr. Salem begins.
The procedure typically takes between 60 and 120 minutes depending on the number of vessels treated and complexity of the lesions. Most patients are surprised by how manageable the experience is under conscious sedation. After completion you rest briefly in recovery before discharge.
We ask that a responsible adult drive you home. You'll leave with a same-day contact number, written instructions covering activity restrictions and medication guidance, and a follow-up appointment to assess your vascular response.
Recovery Timeline
- Day 1Go home same day. The access site (typically the groin) should be kept dry. Avoid strenuous activity. Leg elevation may be recommended.
- Days 2–5Resume light activity. Many claudication patients begin to notice improved walking distance within the first week as blood flow is restored.
- Weeks 1–2Return to full normal activities. Post-procedure antiplatelet medication regimen as directed by your care team.
- Weeks–monthsPatients with critical limb ischemia and non-healing wounds typically see gradual wound improvement over weeks to months. Follow-up imaging to confirm vessel patency.
Recovery timelines are approximate and vary by individual. Your care team will provide personalized guidance.
Risks and Alternatives
Here is an honest comparison of treatment approaches for peripheral artery disease.
| Treatment | Type | Anesthesia | Hospital Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Angioplasty / Stenting (this procedure) | Minimally invasive, endovascular | Conscious sedation | Same-day outpatient |
| Supervised exercise therapy | First-line conservative approach | None | None |
| Medical management (antiplatelet, statin, cilostazol) | Medical — risk factor and symptom management | None | None |
| Surgical bypass (fem-pop, fem-tibial) | Open surgical — for complex or long-segment disease | General or regional | 3–5 day hospital stay |
| Atherectomy | Endovascular — plaque debulking device | Conscious sedation | Same-day outpatient |
Known PAD treatment risks
- •Minor bruising or hematoma at catheter access site
- •Temporary worsening of limb symptoms (uncommon)
- •Rare: arterial dissection or perforation requiring treatment
- •Rare: distal embolization (plaque fragments traveling distally)
- •Rare: contrast allergic reaction (pre-medication available)
- •Restenosis — re-narrowing over time — may require follow-up intervention
For the full risk-benefit discussion, schedule a consultation with Dr. Salem. This list is not a substitute for personalized medical advice.
Why Choose M&S Vascular for PAD Treatment
Your Interventional Radiologist
Amir Salem, MD
Board-certified interventional radiologist with subspecialty training in vascular and interventional procedures. Member, Society of Interventional Radiology.
Two convenient locations
Forest Hills, Queens and Great Neck, Long Island — serving patients from across the NYC metro area.
AAAHC-accredited outpatient suite
Procedures performed in a fully accredited ambulatory setting.
Fast response
We respond to consultation requests within 5 minutes during business hours.
Insurance accepted
Most major plans accepted. View accepted insurances →
What patients say
“I had been told I might need bypass surgery. Dr. Salem reviewed my imaging and said I was a candidate for the catheter-based approach. Same-day procedure. My walking has improved significantly.”
“I have diabetes and had a non-healing wound on my foot for months. After the angioplasty the wound finally started to close. I wish I had come sooner.”
“The leg cramps when walking were getting worse every month. The procedure was easier than I expected — home the same day, back to walking without stopping after a few weeks.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PAD treatment covered by insurance and Medicare?
Coverage varies by plan. Many commercial insurers and Medicare cover endovascular PAD treatment for claudication and critical limb ischemia when medically necessary criteria are met. Our team will verify your specific benefits and obtain pre-authorization before your procedure.
How is endovascular PAD treatment different from bypass surgery?
Bypass surgery reroutes blood around a blocked artery using a graft — requiring open surgery, general anesthesia, and a hospital stay. Endovascular treatment (angioplasty and stenting) opens the blocked artery from the inside through a small needle stick, using a balloon catheter and, when needed, a stent. There is no incision, conscious sedation is typically used instead of general anesthesia, and most patients go home the same day. For suitable anatomy, endovascular treatment offers comparable patency results with significantly less recovery.
How is PAD diagnosed and graded before treatment?
PAD diagnosis typically begins with an ankle-brachial index (ABI) measurement — a non-invasive pressure comparison between the ankle and arm. Duplex ultrasound maps the location and severity of arterial disease. CT angiography or MR angiography may provide detailed anatomic roadmapping before intervention. At consultation, Dr. Salem will review available imaging and order any additional studies needed to characterize the extent of disease and plan treatment.
How long is recovery from PAD angioplasty or stenting?
Most patients go home the same day. The catheter access site (typically the groin or wrist) requires only a small bandage or closure device. Light activity can typically resume within a few days. Most patients are back to normal activity within 1–2 weeks.
Where is PAD treatment performed in Long Island and Queens?
PAD treatment at M&S Vascular is performed at our Great Neck, Long Island location in a fully accredited outpatient suite. We serve patients from across Long Island, Queens, and the broader NYC metro area including Forest Hills, Bayside, Flushing, and Manhasset.
Who is a candidate for endovascular PAD treatment?
Good candidates include adults with lifestyle-limiting claudication (leg pain or cramping when walking that resolves with rest), non-healing foot wounds or rest pain (critical limb ischemia), or imaging-confirmed significant lower extremity arterial stenosis or occlusion. A consultation is required to review your vascular history, symptoms, and imaging.
What are the risks of PAD treatment?
Endovascular PAD treatment is generally well tolerated. Risks include minor bruising or soreness at the catheter access site, rare contrast reaction (pre-medication available), and rare arterial complications at the access site. Restenosis — re-narrowing of the treated artery over time — is a known long-term consideration that may require follow-up intervention. Your interventional radiologist will review all risks specific to your anatomy and disease pattern during your consultation.
How quickly will my leg pain improve after the procedure?
Many patients with claudication notice improvement in walking distance within days to weeks following successful revascularization, as restored blood flow relieves the oxygen deficit in the leg muscles during exertion. Patients with critical limb ischemia and non-healing wounds may see gradual wound improvement over weeks to months as circulation is restored.
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