Angioplasty

Angioplasty (also known as percutaneous coronary intervention [PCI], or balloon angioplasty), is a procedure using a tiny balloon to reinstate blood flow to the heart by reopening arteries closed or narrowed by atherosclerosis, or plaque buildup. The blood, which flows through the coronary arteries, carries oxygen to the heart. Due to some abnormalities, sometimes dumps of substances like cholesterol on the walls of the arteries cause tightening and hardening of these blood vessels. Such kinds of blockage of an artery waste away the heart of oxygen that may cause of heart attack and it can be life threatening.

The desired aim through this surgery is reduction of pain in chest and improving breathing difficulties. Surgery is basically performed to treat patients with heart blockages in against to avoid the need for open heart surgery, a very insidious procedure with a longer recovery period than angioplasty. Angioplasty is not considered as surgery. There are two kinds of angioplasty such as-'Balloon Angioplasty' and 'laser angioplasty' performed as per the kind of abnormalities in arteries. Balloon angioplasty is performed by using a long tube (catheter) with a balloon at one end, which is inserted through the groin and is guided to the clogged artery in the heart. At the location, the balloon is inflated. The inflated balloon crushes the plaque (deposit) on the artery wall. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn. Sometimes blood thinning medicines are also given to prevent formation of a blood clot Laser angioplasty with the help of laser beam is used to cut through the plaque. The laser releases pulsating light beams that destroy spots of fatty deposits containing cholesterol (called plaque) that narrow the arteries.

Usually it is not required the patient to be under complete anesthesia during the treatment of angioplasty, however pain medicines are given as needed. During the treatment, patient is usually always kept in conscious stage so that he or she can advise if there is uneasiness which can help the success of the procedure. Recovery time of this cardiac treatment is very fast in comparison to open heart surgery, which is considerably more invasive and painful. Patient can be discharged from hospital after 4-5 days of the procedure and some pain can be experienced during this period that will automatically reduce after few days. Complete recovery may take a few weeks and you achieve your healthy heart that exceeds your life expectancy.