Frequently Asked Questions About Angioplasty

Your cardiovascular system delivers oxygen, nutrients and other important substances to all parts of the body. If the arteries around the heart narrow or become blocked from coronary artery disease and restrict the flow of blood, the result can be angina, a debilitating chest pain, or a heart attack.

Fortunately, medical science can often correct these blockages through angioplasty. The following FAQs can help you understand this minimally invasive procedure.

What conditions does angioplasty treat?

Angioplasty is used to help open narrow or blocked coronary arteries. Block arteries can reduce blood flow to and from the heart. This can cause chest pains, known as angina, and raise your risk for a heart attack.

Arteries can narrow from of the buildup of plaque. Plaque is a sticky substance of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances that accumulate and harden inside your arteries.

What types of angioplasty do cardiologists offer?

Angioplasty involves inserting a catheter through a blood vessel in your arm, wrist or groin. Once inserted, the doctor may choose to scrape away the plaque or use a balloon. This balloon, when inflated, pushes against the plaque to expand the inner diameter of the blood vessel. Depending on circumstances, the cardiologist may also insert a stent, which is a mesh tube, to prop the blood vessel open.

In some instances the cardiologist may perform an excimer laser coronary angioplasty (ELCA), which uses a laser instead of a balloon catheter. The laser vaporizes the plaque in the blood vessel, which eliminates the blockage.

What happens before and during an angioplasty procedure?

Before your angioplasty, you and your doctor will discuss your medical history and current medications. Your doctor may advise you to stop taking blood thinners, certain diabetes drugs or other medications in advance of the procedure. You will also receive detailed instructions about post-operative self-care.

An angioplasty is typically completed in under an hour. Although you are awake while the procedure takes place, you will be given medication to help you relax and a local anesthesia where the incision is made. You may feel slight, momentary discomfort during catheter insertion and while the blockage is being cleared.

What can you expect during the angioplasty recovery period?

Immediately following your angioplasty, you will need to lie still with your leg or arm extended for several hours. If needed, your surgeon might also keep you in the hospital overnight for observation.

Following the procedure you may be prescribed medicines to prevent blood clots and you will receive instructions to restrict your activities for at least a week.

There may be some discomfort, bleeding and bruising where the surgeon inserted the catheter. This should resolve itself. However, if you experience other symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest pain, or numbness or color changes in the limb that received the catheter, seek medical evaluation right away.

Are there alternatives to angioplasty?

Depending on the amount of plaque in your arteries, your cardiologist may first recommend conservative measures such as weight loss, dietary changes and medication.

Alternatively, the cardiologist may recommend bypass surgery if there is heavy blockage or damage to the artery. In this instance, the blocked artery is replaced with an artery from elsewhere in the body to help improve coronary blood flow.

The Nashville Healthcare Center cardiology teams offer comprehensive programs for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Learn more about the Heart and Vascular Clinic or call the Nashville Healthcare Center at 615-341-4968 to learn more about our services.

This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. You should talk with your primary care physician or other qualified medical professionals regarding diagnosis and treatment of a health condition.

Sources:

MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention