Coronary Angioplasty
Coronary Angioplasty or Balloon Angioplasty is a minimally invasive endovascular procedure that is to used to remove blockage/s in arteries caused by plaque buildup (arterial atherosclerosis).
In the procedure, a deflated balloon is inserted through the arm or groin using a catheter and is guided to the target location. The balloon forces open the blockage and restores the blood flow through the artery. A stent may be inserted at the time of ballooning to ensure the vessel remains open, and the balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. Angioplasty is day procedure and takes 1-3 hours.
What happens during coronary angioplasty?
Coronary Angiography Explained
During Coronary Angiography, a catheter is inserted into an artery, usually in the groin or in the arm or wrist which is pushed forward to the heart, and the X-ray images of the heart is created to check for the blocked or narrowed arteries. Then a catheter with a balloon at its end is inserted into the narrowed coronary artery. Inside the blocked artery, this balloon is inflated and deflated several times, compressed against the artery wall till the plaque is removed and the artery is widened so that blood flow improves.
The catheters are removed once the artery has been successfully re-opened.
What are the possible risk associated with PTCA?
Although Angioplasty is a very safe procedure, a small percentage of patients may experience some side-effects such as;
- Bleeding at the site where the catheter is inserted.
- Damage to the blood vessel at the insertion site
- Infection at the catheter insertion site
- Abnormal heart rhythms
- Chest pain or discomfort
FAQs
What is the duration of procedure
PTCA (Angioplasty) usually takes 1 – 2 hours.
What is the difference between a stent and a balloon?
Stent acts as a support by keeping the vessel open, when placed inside of a coronary artery. By keeping the vessel open, the stent helps to improve blood flow to the heart muscle and reduce chest pain. Stent placement are usually done along with balloon angioplasty.
Are heart stents permanent?
Once the stent is implanted, it will remain in your artery permanently.