Vascular access procedures are designed for patients who need intravenous (IV) access for a considerable time, longer than ten days or two weeks. In this way, the patient is spared the discomfort and stress of needle sticks.

Angioplasty opens up narrowed blood vessels by using a catheter and a balloon, which inflates to open the artery and improve blood flow. In some cases, a stent may be inserted during angioplasty to decrease chances that the blood vessel will close up again.