Coronary angioplasty is a procedure that can restore adequate blood flow to the heart by opening narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. This procedure involves a cardiac catheterization and angiography, which is used to show blood flow through the coronary arteries.
The Coronary Angioplasty Procedure
Patients usually receive a mild sedative but remain awake and able to follow instructions throughout the study. An intravenous (IV) line is placed in the arm or groin and a small tube, or catheter, is threaded through the blood vessel to the coronary arteries. Dye or other contrast material is then injected through the line and images are recorded. The contrast material helps to highlight any areas where blood flow to the heart is blocked.
Angioplasty can be used to treat certain blockages. The procedure involves inserting a balloon-tipped catheter into the occluded, or blocked, area and inflating it. This presses plaque or fatty deposits against the wall of the artery, enlarging it from within and restoring proper blood flow to the heart.
Sometimes, another balloon-tipped catheter will be used to place a small, wire mesh device, called a stent, into the dilated artery. The stent acts as a kind of scaffold to keep the artery open and prevent the formation of blood clots.
In certain patients, angioplasty is a good alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), a major surgical procedure that "bypasses" a blocked artery by grafting another vessel around it. However, coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) may be the treatment of choice for those with severe blockages.
Angioplasty may last from 45 minutes to several hours. Afterward, the catheter is removed and firm pressure is applied at the insertion site to control bleeding. Patients must flat for several hours to prevent bleeding from the area where the catheter was inserted. Most remain under observation in the hospital for several hours to overnight.
Preparing for a Coronary Angioplasty
Before the study begins, patients should alert their physician if they are allergic to seafood or have ever had a bad reaction to contrast material. Women should also tell a staff person if there is any possibility that they might be pregnant because the test should not be performed during pregnancy.
Many cardiac catheterization procedures take place as emergency procedures. However, if the procedure is planned, patients should not eat or drink for eight hours before the test, and they should discuss with their physician how to adjust their medications prior to the study. Also, persons with diabetes should ask their physician how to adjust their insulin dosage.
Recovering from a Coronary Angioplasty
Following the procedure, patients are typically given certain restrictions, which may include:
- After discharge, avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for several days.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Do not shower for 24 hours and avoid tub baths for a few days.
- Immediately report any of the following symptoms in the leg or arm where the catheter was placed: pain, swelling, redness, coldness, numbness, blue. discoloration, or drainage at the catheter insertion site. Other serious symptoms include fever or shortness of breath.
Coronary Angioplasty Specialists
Gary Ledley, M.D.
Peter Kurnik, M.D.
Related Programs and Services
Cardiac Catheterization
Related Diagnostic Studies
Angiography
Related Treatments
Thrombectomy
The information on these pages is provided for general information only and should not be used for diagnosis or treatment, or as a substitute for consultation with a physician or healthcare professional. If you have specific questions or concerns about your health, you should consult your healthcare professional.
To make an appointment, call 215-561-HEART (4327).
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