Angioplasty Treatment

What Is Angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure designed to open clogged or narrowed blood vessels, improving blood flow and relieving symptoms associated with restricted circulation. This procedure, often referred to as percutaneous coronary intervention, uses a balloon catheter to compress arterial blockages and may incorporate the use of a stent—a small metal mesh tube—to keep the artery open after the procedure.

Angioplasty is a popular alternative to open surgery for treating conditions like coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and other vascular blockages that compromise blood flow. Most procedures do not require general anesthesia and can often be performed without an overnight hospital stay.

Benefits of Angioplasty

Angioplasty offers several advantages over traditional surgical options:

• Minimally Invasive: No surgical incisions are required.
• Low Risk and Cost: It’s less invasive and cost-effective than bypass surgery.
• No Extended Hospital Stay: Often performed on an outpatient basis, allowing quicker recovery.
• Uses Local Anesthesia: There’s no need for general anesthesia.
• Quick Recovery: You can return to normal activities sooner than other procedures.

Improving blood flow reduces symptoms like chest pain and shortness of breath, significantly enhancing your quality of life.

Are There Any Risks?

While angioplasty is relatively safe, like any medical procedure, it carries some risks:

• Bleeding or Bruising: At the catheter insertion site. In rare cases, severe bleeding may require additional treatment.
• Blood Clot Formation or Arterial Damage: Due to the catheter.
• Re-Narrowing of the Artery: If no stent is used, or with bare-metal stents (occurs in 10–20% of cases).
• Stroke Risk: When performed on the carotid artery.
• Infection: As with all procedures involving skin penetration.

Your doctor will discuss all potential risks and benefits with you before the procedure.

Angioplasty Procedure

Angioplasty occurs in a special operating room called a catheterization laboratory. A vascular specialist should always perform it. This procedure is performed through an artery in your groin, arm, or wrist. General anesthesia isn’t needed. However, you will be given relaxing sedatives, and patients will receive a local anesthetic to numb the catheter insertion site.

The needle is inserted into a tapered tube called a sheath through the hole. A catheter with a balloon in its tip is inserted through the sheath. An imaging method called fluoroscopy guides the needle to the blocked artery. With the tip at the site of the blockage, the balloon is inflated. The balloon pushes the plaque against the artery wall and relieves the blockage. Depending on the difficulty and number of blockages and whether any complications arise, angioplasty can take up to several hours.

There may be pressure in the area where the catheter is inserted. Additionally, you may feel some mild discomfort when the balloon is inflated. However, typically you shouldn’t feel any sharp pain during the procedure.

When the procedure is complete, the doctor removes the catheter and sheath. Then they close the opening in the blood vessel. The patient is then moved to a special care unit, where he or she will recover anywhere from a few hours to overnight. During recovery, the care team monitors the patient’s vital signs. Additionally, they will ensure the catheter insertion site closes properly.

After The Procedure

The site where the catheter was inserted may be bruised and sore. This is temporary.

After the operation, your blood pressure and heart rate will be monitored for several hours. Also, the insertion site will be checked for bleeding or swelling. Bleeding at the site where the catheter entered the vein is less likely when the veins are treated. Your doctor may prescribe medicine to relax your arteries, protect against artery spasms, and prevent blood clots.

Once you are at home, you should rest and drink plenty of fluids. Do not lift any heavy objects and exercise for at least 24 hours. Additionally, avoid smoking permanently. Smoking is a major cause of atherosclerosis.

If you see bleeding where the catheter was inserted, you should lie down and apply pressure. Tell your doctor right away if your leg changes color or if the catheter location feels warm. After the procedure, you may be prescribed aspirin or blood thinners. These drugs can prevent blood clots from forming.

Your interventional radiologist can tell you whether the procedure was successful by comparing your before and after angiograms.

Your interventional radiologist may recommend a follow-up visit.

This visit may include a physical check-up, imaging exam(s), and blood tests. During your follow-up visit, tell your doctor about any side effects or changes you have noticed.