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Balloon Angioplasty and Stents as Beating Heart Bypass Surgery Alternatives

The two alternative procedures, balloon angioplasty and placement of a stent, do increase blood flow to the heart. During a balloon angioplasty, a flexible plastic tube, or catheter, is inserted into the blocked coronary artery. Then a small balloon is expanded inside the blockage. This usually opens up the artery and lets blood flow through it again.

 

The blocked section may also be kept open by putting in a piece of wire mesh tubing, called a stent. This keeps the walls of the artery apart after the blockage has been opened. Stents may be used instead of, or in addition to, a balloon angioplasty. However, these two procedures are not an option for everyone.

 

Traditional Bypass Surgery as a Beating Heart Bypass Surgery Alternative

You can also have coronary artery bypass surgery performed with a heart-lung bypass machine instead of the heart stabilizer. The bypass machine is often used with patients who have a greater chance of serious heart problems during the surgery.

 

Beating Heart Bypass Surgery Alternatives: Final Thoughts

If you have questions about any of these beating heart bypass surgery alternatives after reading this article, you should discuss them with your doctor and decide which one, if any, is appropriate for you.