Angioplasty is a medical procedure conducted to treat Atherosclerosis; a condition where heart blood vessels get clogged by slow build up of sticky substances known as plaque. This inhibits normal blood flow in heart and other parts of body, making patients very susceptible to heart attacks, leading to death. The procedure may also be conducted for other parts of the body. If case is more severe and angioplasty fails to work, doctor may suggest patients to undergo heart bypass surgery
Angioplasty, also known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), is a less invasive procedure. The entire process takes around 30 to 180 minutes approximately. The procedure is conducted under local anesthesia where the patient remains fully awake.
During the procedure, your doctor will make a small cut in the groin or closest arm, through which a thin tube structure known as catheter, is inserted to reach the troubled blood vessel or artery. This insertion will make you feel a little uncomfortable, but causes no pain.
The catheter is attached to a small non inflated balloon like structure, along with a thin wire known as stent. Now, the doctor will take a quick angiogram to know exactly the areas of blockage and status of neighboring arteries.
Following this, the balloon structure is inflated to push out the fatty substance, thus widening the blocked or narrowed blood vessel. This can be done a couple of times; depending upon the amount of blockage required to be treated.
Once the procedure is complete, the balloon is deflated and removed; while leaving the stent inside. The only purpose of this stent is to keep the arteries open for longer duration. However, having this stent within, requires patients to make repeated followups with the doctor to avoid further complications.
After the procedure, you are free to leave for home. Patients who have undergone the process as an emergency step to recover from fatal heart attacks, do require to stay in the hospital for a couple of days. The small incision that was made, remains a little tender for few days. However, with care and medication, the bruise is improved.
Heavy work, driving, exercising needs to be avoided for a week or so to ensure quick recovery. Follow ups are vital to track your recovery and how well the procedure was conducted to guarantee expected results. To read more about angioplasty surgery & what risk patients may face while undergoing angioplasty here
