Remote Superficial Femoral Artery Endarterectomy

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Remote superficial femoral artery endarterectomy (RSFAE) is a procedure to remove plaques inside the superficial femoral artery (SFA). The femoral artery is the main blood vessel in your thigh that carries blood and oxygen to the legs. Plaques are fat, cholesterol, or tissues that are clogged in the inner wall of the artery. When plaques build up inside the superficial femoral artery, blood flow to the legs may be decreased. RSFAE may be done to relieve problems caused by a narrowed or blocked artery. Problems that may happen include severe pain in the hip, thigh, calf, or foot, and trouble when walking. Having these problems may decrease a person's ability to do his daily activities and affect his quality of life.
  
  
• With RSFAE, the plaque that blocks the artery is removed through a small incision (cut) in the groin. The groin is the area where your abdomen (stomach) meets your upper leg. Caregivers strip, cut, and remove the plaque by using different tools inserted through the SFA. This is done using a special type of x-ray as a guide. RSFAE may be followed by other procedures, such as angioplasty and stenting. Angioplasty opens the artery using a small, high pressure balloon. Stenting uses metal or plastic stents (tubes), in the area where the blockage was removed, to keep the artery open.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Blood thinners: Blood thinners are medicines that help prevent clots from forming in the blood. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Blood thinners may cause you to bleed or bruise more easily. Do the following if you are taking a blood thinner:
  
  
  • Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose, or in your urine or BMs.
    
    
  • Use a soft washcloth on your skin and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. Doing this can keep your skin and gums from bleeding.
    
    
  • Tell your dentist before dental cleanings, and other caregivers before other procedures, that you take blood thinning medicine.
    
    
  • If you shave, use an electric shaver.
    
    
  • Do not play contact sports since you may bleed or bruise easily.
    
    
  • Wear a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace that says you are taking a blood thinner medicine. You may get one from your local drugstore or contact the MedicAlert Foundation.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Bathing: When you are allowed to bathe or shower, carefully wash your stitches or staples with soap and water. Afterwards, put on a clean, new bandage. Change your bandage any time it gets wet or dirty. If you cannot reach the bandage, ask someone else to help you change it. You may have steri-strips (thin strips of tape) on your incision. Keep them clean and dry. As they start to peel off, let them fall off by themselves. Do not pull them off.

Exercise: Talk to your caregiver before you start exercising. Together you can plan the best exercise program for you. It is best to start slowly and do more as you get stronger. Exercising makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps you healthy.

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have nausea (upset stomach) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• You have redness, discharge, or pain in the area where the procedure was done.
  
  
• Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your procedure, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood.
  
  
• You have chest pain that spreads to your arms, jaw, or back, or are sweating more than usual.
  
  
• Your incision has blood, pus, or a foul-smelling odor coming from it.
  
  
• You have trouble breathing all of a sudden.
  
  
• The foot or leg on the same side of where the procedure was done becomes cold, numb, pale, or is very painful.
  
  
• Your shoulder, arm, or fingers feel numb, tingly, cool to touch, or look blue or pale.
  
  
• This is an emergency. Call 911 or 0 (operator) to get to the nearest hospital or clinic. Do not drive yourself!

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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