Coronary Angioplasty & Stent Placement
Coronary angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked heart arteries. A small balloon is used to widen the artery, and a stent may be placed to help keep it open and improve blood flow.
What Is Coronary Angioplasty?
Coronary angioplasty is a procedure used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle.
When fatty deposits called plaque build up inside the artery walls, the arteries can become narrow. This condition is known as coronary artery disease and may reduce blood flow to the heart.
During angioplasty, a small balloon is inflated inside the narrowed section to widen the artery. A small mesh tube called a stent is often placed to help maintain the opening.
- Helps widen narrowed coronary arteries
- May improve blood flow to the heart muscle
- Often involves placement of a coronary stent
- Can help relieve symptoms in selected patients
Why Is Angioplasty Followed by Stent Placement?
After the balloon widens the narrowed artery, a stent may be placed to support the artery wall and help keep the treated area open.
Stents are small expandable mesh tubes that remain inside the artery.
- Supports the artery from within
- Helps maintain the widened passage
- Reduces the risk of the treated artery narrowing again
- May improve blood flow through the treated area
Why Is Angioplasty Needed?
Your cardiologist may recommend angioplasty when a significant coronary artery narrowing is affecting blood flow or causing symptoms.
Improve Blood Flow
Helps restore blood flow through a narrowed coronary artery.
Relieve Angina
Can reduce chest discomfort caused by restricted blood flow in selected patients.
Treat Artery Blockages
Opens selected narrowed or blocked coronary artery segments.
Emergency Treatment
May be used in urgent situations such as certain types of heart attack.
How Is Angioplasty and Stent Placement Performed?
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure performed by an interventional cardiologist in a specialised cardiac catheterisation laboratory.
- The patient is prepared and connected to monitoring equipment.
- Local anaesthesia is given at the catheter insertion site.
- A thin catheter is inserted through an artery, commonly in the wrist or groin.
- Using X-ray guidance, the catheter is guided towards the narrowed coronary artery.
- A guidewire and balloon catheter are carefully passed across the narrowed area.
- The balloon is inflated to widen the narrowed artery.
- A stent may be expanded at the treated site to support the artery.
- The balloon and catheter are removed while the stent remains in place.
How Does a Stent Work?
A coronary stent is a small mesh-like tube that is placed inside the treated artery. It helps support the artery wall and maintain the opening created during angioplasty.
What Are Drug-Eluting Stents?
Drug-eluting stents have a special coating that slowly releases medication to help reduce the chance of tissue growth causing the treated artery to narrow again.
Will the Stent Stay Inside My Body?
Yes. The stent is designed to remain permanently inside the treated artery.
Types of Coronary Stents
Your cardiologist will decide which type of stent is suitable based on your artery condition and clinical requirements.
Drug-Eluting Stents
Stents coated with medication designed to reduce tissue growth inside the treated artery.
Bare-Metal Stents
Metal mesh stents without a drug coating that provide structural support to the artery.
Stent Selection
The choice of stent depends on the patient's condition, anatomy and treatment plan.
Follow-Up Care
Regular follow-up and prescribed medication are important after stent placement.
What Happens After Angioplasty?
After angioplasty, the medical team monitors the patient's heart rate, blood pressure and catheter insertion site. Recovery time varies according to the patient's health and the complexity of the procedure.
- Rest and follow the hospital's recovery instructions.
- Keep the catheter insertion site clean and follow wound-care advice.
- Take prescribed medicines as directed.
- Attend scheduled follow-up appointments.
- Gradually resume physical activities as advised by the doctor.
- Follow heart-healthy dietary and lifestyle recommendations.
How Can You Care for Your Heart After Angioplasty?
Angioplasty treats a specific narrowed artery but does not remove the underlying cause of coronary artery disease.
- Follow a balanced, heart-healthy diet
- Stop smoking and avoid tobacco
- Stay physically active as medically advised
- Manage blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes
- Take all prescribed medicines regularly
- Attend cardiac rehabilitation if recommended
What Are the Risks of Angioplasty and Stent Placement?
Angioplasty is commonly performed, but like every invasive procedure, it carries certain risks. Your cardiologist will discuss the possible complications based on your health and medical history.
Possible Complications Include
- Bleeding or bruising at the catheter insertion site
- Allergic reaction to contrast dye or medication
- Blood clot formation
- Damage to a blood vessel
- Re-narrowing of the treated artery
- Bleeding related to prescribed blood-thinning medicines
Rare but Serious Complications
In uncommon cases, serious complications may include:
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Serious bleeding
- Kidney injury related to contrast dye
- Emergency need for additional treatment
- Life-threatening complications, very rarely
Important: Never stop prescribed antiplatelet or blood-thinning medicines after stent placement without speaking to your cardiologist. Stopping these medicines can increase the risk of blood clots inside the stent.
How Should You Prepare for Angioplasty?
Your healthcare team will give you specific instructions before the procedure. Preparation may include:
- Informing your doctor about all medicines and supplements.
- Discussing allergies, especially to contrast dye.
- Sharing details of kidney disease, diabetes or other medical conditions.
- Following instructions about eating, drinking and medicines.
- Completing any recommended blood tests or other investigations.
- Arranging transport and support after the procedure if required.
Follow Your Cardiologist's Instructions
Do not independently stop aspirin, clopidogrel, anticoagulants or other prescribed medicines. Your cardiologist will advise whether any medicine needs to be adjusted before the procedure.
If angioplasty is being performed as emergency treatment for a heart attack, the preparation process may be different.
Schedule Your Angioplasty Consultation
Looking for information about coronary angioplasty or stent placement? Request an appointment with Hridayaa Cardiac and Vascular Care Centre to discuss your heart health and treatment options.
Share your details and preferred appointment date.
Get assistance with your cardiac consultation enquiry.
Discuss suitable treatment options with the medical team.
Frequently Asked Questions About Angioplasty
Learn more about coronary angioplasty and stent placement.
1. What is coronary angioplasty?
Coronary angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries and improve blood flow to the heart.
2. Why is a stent placed during angioplasty?
A stent is a small mesh tube placed inside the treated artery to help keep it open and support blood flow.
3. Is angioplasty a major surgery?
No. Coronary angioplasty is generally performed as a minimally invasive catheter-based procedure and does not usually require open-heart surgery.
4. How long does angioplasty take?
The procedure duration varies depending on the number and complexity of the blockages and the treatment required. Your cardiologist can explain the expected duration.
5. How long does recovery take after angioplasty?
Recovery varies between patients. It depends on the patient's condition, the procedure and whether angioplasty was performed during an emergency.
6. Will I need medicines after stent placement?
Yes. Patients are commonly prescribed antiplatelet medicines and other heart medications. Follow your cardiologist's instructions and do not stop medicines without medical advice.
7. Can an artery get blocked again after angioplasty?
Yes. The treated artery can narrow again in some patients, and blood clots can form inside a stent. Medicines and regular follow-up help manage these risks.
8. Is angioplasty suitable for everyone?
No. The appropriate treatment depends on the location and severity of blockages, symptoms, heart function and overall health. Some patients may benefit more from medicines or bypass surgery.
9. Can I live a normal life after angioplasty?
Many patients return to their regular activities after recovery. Following medical advice, prescribed medicines, healthy lifestyle habits and regular check-ups is important.
Give Your Heart the Care It Deserves
Contact Hridayaa Cardiac and Vascular Care Centre to enquire about coronary angioplasty consultation.
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