Angioplasty

What Is Angioplasty?

Balloon angioplasty (also known as just angioplasty) is a procedure that allows your doctor to open blocked coronary arteries, which are the arteries that provide oxygen and nutrients to your heart muscle. Often, an expandable device, called a stent, is inserted into your blocked artery after the procedure. Stents can help the artery remain open for a longer period of time. Your doctor's choice to perform an angioplasty or insert a stent is based on the type and location of your blockage.

 

In addition to being effective, this procedure is safe and well tolerated in most cases.

 

 

Preparing for the Procedure

 Preparing for angioplasty involves arranging transportation and not eating or drinking for eight hours before the surgery. Also, your doctor should give you detailed instructions on how to prepare. During the procedure, dye is injected into the coronary arteries; this helps the doctor to see any blockages. If the doctor locates a blockage, he or she will prepare for balloon angioplasty or the placement of a stent. Both of these procedures allow the artery to stay open for a longer period of time after the surgery.

 

Recovery and Expected Results With an Angioplasty

In most cases, people stay in the hospital for one to two days after their angioplasty. When you leave the hospital to continue your recovery, you should be given specific wound care instructions and discharge instructions for driving, activity level, medication, and any other restrictions. You will need to avoid vigorous exertion or strenuous activity for one to two weeks after balloon angioplasty. Benefits of the procedure often include a significant relief from chest pain and a decrease in the need for heart medication. Angioplasty has a 90 percent success rate for unblocking coronary arteries.

 

 

Minor complications of balloon angioplasty can include:

 

 

In most cases, these complications are temporary and easily treated by your doctor. Major complications include:

 

 

However, it is important to note that balloon angioplasty has been performed safely since 1941 with successful results and limited complications (see Complications of Balloon Angioplasty).