Coronary Angioplasty

When the heart arteries become blocked or narrowed from a build-up of cholesterol, cells or other substances the patient can feel chest pain from exertion as blockage can reduce blood flow to heart muscles. Sometimes a blood clot can suddenly form and completely stop the blood flow, leading to a heart attack as heart muscle dies when the there is no blood flow.

By doing angioplasty we can open the blocked arteries and restores normal blood flow to heart muscles. It is done like the angiography procedure. But in angioplasty we go inside the heart arteries. The blocked artery is opened by inflating a tiny balloon, which we pass over a very thin wire. The balloon is inflated and It pushes the blockage to the side and stretches the artery open, so blood can flow easily. Most often we deploy a   wire mesh tube (stent) mounted on a special balloon to further compress the blockage. The stent is moved over the wire to the blocked area and as the balloon is inflated, it opens the stent against the artery walls. The stent locks in this position and helps keep the artery open. The balloon and catheters are then taken out. Now the artery has been opened, and heart gets the blood it needs. Angioplasty causes very little pain. We will numb the place where the catheter will be inserted and You’ll be awake and alert but may be given medicine to help you relax.