What is angioplasty?
Angioplasty is a procedure used in the field of cardiology to dilate the arteries that carry blood to the heart. Over time, fats tend to accumulate in the blood vessels, causing the formation of plaques that cause the arteries to harden and narrow. Therefore, angioplasty can restore direct circulation to the heart if the arteries are narrowed or blocked by coronary artery disease.
angioplasty can restore direct circulation to the heart.
Why is it performed?
Angioplasty can be used to:
- Limit symptoms of coronary artery disease (angina and breathing problems).
- Limit damage to the heart muscle caused by a heart attack.
- Increase the life expectancy of patients with heart problems.
What does it consist of?
Angioplasty has a much lower invasive incidence than bypass; in fact, angioplasty does not require incisions, cuts or general anesthesia, and recovery times are significantly shorter than other procedures. Before an angioplasty operation can be performed, coronography must be performed to identify the exact area of intervention. Subsequently, a small tube is inserted into the artery for the passage of a catheter that will serve first for the coronography and then to perform the actual angioplasty. This “balloon” is made to reach the point of occlusion and then inflated to restore the normal diameter of the blood vessel. A small cylinder is then inserted into a wire mesh to ensure, over time, proper blood flow.
Preparation for angioplasty
Before an angioplasty operation can be performed, a coronography must be performed to identify the exact area of the intervention. This procedure is performed under local anesthesia with the patient remaining awake and conscious. The total duration of the operation is approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Postoperative recovery
Recovery times after angioplasty are very short. The length of stay is 24 to 48 hours. Subsequently, anticoagulant treatment is usually prescribed to avoid the risk of thrombus formation.
Alternative treatments
Other treatment options for blocked or obstructed arteries include medication and coronary artery bypass grafting. For more information you can contact a specialist in Neuroradiology.