Angioplasty is a surgical procedure usually done after a heart attack to open up the blood vessels that bring blood to the heart.
These blood vessels are known as the coronary arteries and any blockage or disruption in them can become a primary cause for a heart attack.
Also known as percutaneous coronary intervention or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, the procedure is often followed by the insertion of coronary artery stents.
An angioplasty can prove to be lifesaving if a person has suffered a heart attack as it can provide them with temporary relief.
It can also be used to relieve heart disease symptoms even if you have not suffered a heart attack.
Let’s look at angioplasty in detail:
How is it Done?
The procedure is carried out while a patient is under anesthesia.
It starts with an incision to the arm or the groin, through which a catheter, with an attached inflatable balloon, is inserted into an artery.
Through X-rays, special dyes, or video, the doctor guides the catheter to the blocked coronary artery.
The balloon is inflated once the catheter reaches the artery.
The balloon forces fatty deposits and plaque to the sides, opening up the artery for blood flow.
In some cases, the catheter can also be used to carry a mesh-like object called a stent.
The stent keeps the artery open, allowing the balloon to the deflated and removed along with the catheter.
The procedure can last for half an hour to multiple hours depending on how many arteries are blocked and if a stent has been used or not.
Benefits
An angioplasty is an efficient way of providing relief after a heart attack.
Restoring blood flow to the heart is necessary to decrease damage to the heart muscle, and it can also help with symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
It can also decrease the chances of a more invasive bypass procedure being required down the line.
Experts believe that an angioplasty also decreases the chances of another heart attack and blood clots while helping with the effectiveness of medication that is likely to follow.
Risks
An angioplasty carries some risk much like any other invasive medical procedure.
You may be allergic to the anesthetic, or any other substance used during the procedure.
Other risks associated with the procedure include:
Blood clots or scar tissue forming in the stent.
A heart attack.
Bleeding, bruising, or clotting at the point of insertion.
Arrhythmia, which is an irregular heartbeat.
Infection.
Damage to a heart valve, blood vessel, or artery.
Kidney damage, especially if you have pre-existing kidney problems.
There is a rare chance of the procedure leading to a stroke.
Although helpful after a heart attack, angioplasty is not a final cure.
Arteries may become narrow again, and you might require further medical attention or have to change your lifestyle to avoid another heart attack.
