Heart Surgery - Coronary Angioplasty Procedure

Heart Surgery - Coronary Angioplasty Procedure

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Coronary angioplasty (AN-jee-oh-plas-tee) is a medical procedure used to open narrowed or clogged blood vessels of the heart. A thin balloon or other device is threaded through a blood vessel in the groin or arm into a heart (coronary) artery. The balloon is inflated to compress the blockage and stretch the artery open.

It is used in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) to:

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CAD develops over time as fatty deposits, called plaque (plak), build up on the inside walls of the coronary arteries. The buildup of plaque narrows the arteries, reducing the flow of blood to the heart. This is called atherosclerosis.

Angioplasty was first used in 1977. A tiny balloon was used to open or widen narrowed arteries. Since then, new devices and medications have improved the procedure and made it appropriate for more people. The improvements include:

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Today, over 1 million people in the U.S. receive angioplasty each year. They are best done:

Research on angioplasty continues to:

Other Names for Coronary Angioplasty

When Is Coronary Angioplasty Done?
Your doctor may consider angioplasty if lifestyle changes and medications do not improve your symptoms of coronary artery disease (CAD). It is an alternative to coronary bypass surgery, which is a major operation.Loading image. Please wait...

Your doctor will recommend angioplasty or bypass surgery based on:

Angioplasty is often selected if:

The advantages of angioplasty are that it:

The disadvantage of angioplasty is that the artery may close again. If this happens, you will need a second angioplasty or bypass surgery. Also, bypass surgery tends to do a more complete job of restoring the heart's blood supply.

Your doctor will discuss treatment options with you and recommend the best procedure for you.

Coronary angioplasty is also used as an emergency procedure during a heart attack to quickly open a blocked coronary artery. This minimizes the damage during a heart attack and restores blood flow to the heart muscle. There are also drugs that can be used to dissolve clots in a coronary artery. These drugs are most effective when given soon after the heart attack begins (within 3 hours). Early angioplasty, without drugs that dissolve clots, also minimizes damage to the heart muscle.

What Are the Risks of Coronary Angioplasty?
Angioplasty is a common medical procedure and major complications are rare. However, there are risks with any medical procedure. The risks of angioplasty include:

Other less-common complications include:

The risk of complications is higher in:

What Happens Before Coronary Angioplasty?
Meeting with Your Doctor
A heart specialist (cardiologist) performs the angioplasty. If your angioplasty is not done as an emergency, you will meet with your cardiologist before the procedure to have a physical exam and discuss the procedure. Your doctor will order:

Your angioplasty will be scheduled at a hospital. You will also be told:

What to Expect

What Happens During Coronary Angioplasty?
Angioplasty is performed in a special part of the hospital called the cardiac catheterization (kath-eh-ter-ih-ZA-shun) lab. This lab is equipped with special video screens and x-ray machines. Your doctor will use this equipment to see enlarged pictures of the blocked areas in your coronary arteries.

Preparation or Prep
You will be taken into the cardiac catheterization lab, where you will lie on a table. The doctor will use an intravenous (IV) line to give you fluids and medications. The medications are given to relax you and prevent blood clots. The rest of your prep includes:

Steps in Angioplasty
Once you are comfortable, the doctor will begin the procedure:

During the procedure, potent antiplatelet (an-tee-PLATE-let) medicines are given through the IV to prevent clots from forming in the artery or on the stent. These medicines are usually started just before the angioplasty to help thin your blood. You may receive them for 12 to 24 hours after your angioplasty.

Recovering
After the procedure, you will be moved to a special care unit where:

As you recover, the nurses will check:

The place where the tube was inserted may feel sore or tender. This may last for about 1 week.In most cases, you should be able to go home in a day or two after the procedure.

What Happens After Coronary Angioplasty?
Angioplasty is not a cure for CAD. You need to discuss with your doctor what led to CAD and the need for angioplasty. Select the links below for more information on how to slow the development of CAD and how to lower your chance of having a heart attack.

Going Home
When you are ready to leave the hospital, you will be given instructions to follow at home. These instructions may include:

Your doctor will prescribe medication to prevent blood clots from forming. It is very important that you take them as directed. They can prevent the stent from becoming blocked. The medications may include:

Cardiac Rehab
Your doctor may recommend that you participate in a cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) program. Cardiac rehab offers medical guidance and support to help you return to work or daily activities. "Recovering from Heart Problems Through Cardiac Rehabilitation: Patient Guide," from the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Quality and Research, provides more information on cardiac rehab.

Source: National Institutes of Health



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