MBBS, MD’Clinical Ordinatura (Cardiology)
FACC, FICC, Fellowship in Intervention Cardiology
Adult and Paediatric Intervention Cardiologist
MBBS, MD’Clinical Ordinatura (Cardiology)
FACC, FICC, Fellowship in Intervention Cardiology
Adult and Paediatric Intervention Cardiologist
A coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries (the main blood vessels supplying the heart).
The term “angioplasty” means using a balloon to stretch open a narrowed or blocked artery. However, most modern angioplasty procedures also involve inserting a short wire-mesh tube, called a stent, into the artery during the procedure. The stent is left in place permanently to allow blood to flow more freely.
A coronary angioplasty is performed using local anaesthetic, which means you’ll be awake while the procedure is carried out.
A thin flexible tube called a catheter will be inserted into one of your arteries through an incision in your groin, wrist or arm. This is guided to the affected coronary artery using an X-ray video.
When the catheter is in place, a thin wire is guided down the length of the affected coronary artery, delivering a small balloon to the affected section of artery. This is then inflated to widen the artery, squashing fatty deposits against the artery wall so blood can flow through it more freely when the deflated balloon is removed.
If a stent is being used, this will be around the balloon before it’s inserted. The stent will expand when the balloon is inflated and remains in place when the balloon is deflated and removed.
A coronary angioplasty usually takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours. If you’re being treated for angina, you’ll normally be able to go home later the same day or the day after you have the procedure. You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting, strenuous activities and driving for at least a week.
If you’ve been admitted to hospital following a heart attack, you may need to stay in hospital for several days after the angioplasty procedure before going home.
