Angioplasty

 

What is Angioplasty?

Your doctor will talk to you about your heart problem and explain how angioplasty can help. Angioplasty relieves symptoms of coronary artery disease by improving blood flow to your heart. During angioplasty, a catheter (a thin, flexible tube) with a balloon at the tip is inserted into your artery to widen the passageway. Then the catheter is removed.

Understanding Your Risks

The risks of angioplasty are fairly low and are usually outweighed by the benefits to your heart. Your doctor will explain the risks to you, then ask you to sign a consent form giving permission to perform the procedure. The risks of angioplasty include:

• Tearing or cracking of the artery lining, resulting in closure of the treated artery.
• Heart attack, stroke or death

Rarely, a complication occurs that makes emergency bypass surgery necessary. Just in case, a cardiac surgery team stands by during the angioplasty.

Before the Procedure

The night before the angioplasty, you may be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight. After you're admitted to the hospital, you may given routine blood tests, and EKG (electrocardiogram), and a chest x-ray. A nurse prepares the patch of skin where the catheter is inserted. An IV line is inserted into your vein to give you fluids. You will also be given medication to help you relax.

During the Procedure

The angioplasty procedure usually takes one to two hours. You are awake during the procedure. Several steps are necessary before the actual angioplasty is performed. First, the doctor numbs the skin where the catheter will be inserted. An introducing sheath is inserted into the artery in your groin, or an incision is made in your arm. Then, the doctor inserts the guiding catheter through the sheath or incision and moves it throught the blocked artery. X-ray constrast fluid is injected through the catheter to allow your doctor to see your artery on an angiogram. The doctor may ask you to take a deep breath and hold it during the angiogram.

A guide wire is inserted through the guiding catheter and moved to the narrow spot in your arter. Your doctor tracks its movement on angiogram. A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted through the guiding catheter and threaded over the guide wire. It is positioned at the narrow part of the artery. The balloon is then inflated and deflated several times to compress the plaque against the artery wall. You may feel angina when the balloon is inflated. The balloon is deflated and the catheters and guide wire are removed. The artery is now open and blood flow to the heart muscles increases.

After the Procedure

After angioplasty, you'll return to the cardiac care unit or a special recovery room. If there are no complications, you'll probably go home one to two days after the procedure. The introducing sheath is left in place for several hours or overnight to prevent bleeding and to allow your doctor to check the treated artery. Your doctor gives you instructions on medication and follow-up care. He may also schedule follow-up visits.