As we age arteries can become narrowed and hardened which can result in coronary artery disease. If you’ve had a heart attack or suffer from angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to your heart) your Cardiologist may recommend medication therapy or, if that proves ineffective, that you have a coronary angioplasty (opening of the arteries) performed. During an angioplasty they may also opt to place a stent (a small expanding mesh tube which is inserted in order to support the artery and keep it open).

 In order to maintain health and proper function the human heart needs a strong constant flow of blood pumping in and out of it. This blood is supplied by the coronary arteries. If these arteries become blocked it can place your heart health at risk. Coronary Angioplasty and stenting is often used as emergency medical treatment during a heart attack.

What happens during the procedure? 

A coronary angioplasty is performed using a local anesthetic and conscious sedation which means that you will be sedated and comfortable during the procedure. A thin catheter (small, flexible, plastic tube) will be inserted into one of your arteries through an needle stick in your wrist or upper thigh area. It will then be advanced upwards to your heart guided the entire way using a continuous x-ray video.

Once the catheter is in the right spot a very thin wire is fed through the catheter into the artery and over that a small balloon is advanced into the artery and inflated within the damaged section. Upon inflation the artery begins to widen pushing the fatty deposits out of the way so that when the balloon is deflated and taken out the blood will be able to flow through freely.

If the doctor chooses to use a stent as well, the mesh (stent) will have already been collapsed around the balloon by the manufacturer before insertion. When the stent is in place and confirmed by x-ray, the balloon will be inflated, expanding that mesh (stent) into place and the balloon is removed leaving the stent firmly in place.

The procedure can take anywhere from 30 minutes if diagnostic only to a couple of hours if requiring a complex intervention.

What can you expect post angioplasty?

Improved blood flow significantly reduces most previous symptoms in the majority of patients. The expected survival rate of those who have this procedure in the setting of a heart attack is higher than those who receive medical therapy only in the from of blood thinners and can also reduce the chances of having a future heart attack. It has shown to be a highly effective form of treatment. According to the CDC (Center for Disease Control) in the United States alone 500,000 coronary balloon angioplasties were performed with 454,000 stents placed in 2014. Coronary Angioplasty is considered a minimally invasive treatment and regarded as safe for the majority of patients.

If you have questions about your cardiovascular health or treatment options, Tampa Cardiovascular Associates invite you to call us at 813-975-2800 or contact us through the web. https://tampacardio.com/contact-us/