Angioplasty

Angioplasty

Definition

Angioplasty is a medical procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart. These blood vessels are called the coronary arteries.

Angioplasty is not considered to be a type of surgery. It is called a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

See also:

• Angiogram
• Cardiac catheterization

Alternative Names

Balloon angioplasty; Coronary angioplasty; Coronary artery angioplasty; Cardiac angioplasty; PTCA; Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty; Heart artery dilatation

Indications

Angioplasty may be used to treat:

• Persistent chest pain (angina)
• Blockage of one or more coronary arteries
• Blockage in a coronary artery during or after a heart attack

Note: Recent studies show that medicine and angioplasty with stenting have equal benefits. Angioplasty with stenting does not help you live longer, but it can reduce angina or other symptoms of coronary artery disease. Angioplasty with stenting, however, can be a life-saving procedure if you are having a heart attack

Convalescence

Usually, the average hospital stay is less than 2 days. Some people may not have to stay overnight in the hospital at all.

In general, persons who have angioplasty are able to walk around within 6 hours after the procedure. Complete recovery takes a week or less. Keep the area where the catheter was inserted dry for 24 to 48 hours.

Expectations after surgery

Angioplasty greatly improves blood flow through the coronary arteries and the heart in most patients. It may eliminate the need for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). However, CABG may be recommended for persons whose arteries can not be widened enough with angioplasty or who have severe blockages.

Angioplasty does not cure the cause of the blockage. The arteries may become narrow again, which may or may not require another procedure. Stents coated with medicines (drug-eluting stents) may help prevent future narrowing (drug-eluting stents) and reduce the rates of repeated angioplasty.

You should diet, exercise, stop smoking (if you smoke), and reduce stress to help lower your chances of re-narrowing. Your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help lower your cholesterol.

Most patients receive aspirin and another medicine called clopidogrel (Plavix) after this procedure. It is very important to take the medicines exactly as your doctor tells you. Failure to do so can result in blood clotting in the stent (stent thrombosis) and a heart attack.

Risks

Risks of angioplasty include:

• Allergic reaction to the x-ray dye
• Bleeding in area where the catheter was inserted
• Blockage of blood flow to an area of the heart (very rare)
• Damage to a heart valve or blood vessel
• Death
• Kidney failure (higher risk in those with existing kidney problems)
• Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
• Stroke (rare)

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Breathing problems
• Reactions to medications

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

References

Cardiac catheterization

Atherosclerosis

Stable angina

Cholesterol producers

Coronary artery balloon angioplasty - series

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