Coronary angioplasty and the placement of stents can be lifesaving treatments for heart disease and are particularly critical as emergency treatment during a heart attack. The procedure represents a significant advancement in cardiac care, offering an effective alternative to more invasive surgeries.

Coronary angioplasty, or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a medical procedure designed to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. This revolutionary procedure is pivotal in addressing heart disease and is considered especially effective during a heart attack.

What Is Coronary Angioplasty?

Coronary angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that involves using a thin, flexible tube called a catheter. This catheter is threaded through a blood vessel in the arm or groin to the affected artery in the heart. Once in position, a small balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated. The balloon's inflation compresses the fatty deposits or plaque against the artery wall, opening the artery to enhance blood flow to the heart. Typically, the process takes about 30 minutes, after which the balloon is deflated and removed.

While angioplasty significantly improves blood flow, the procedure often incorporates placing a mesh tube called a stent in the dilated artery. The stent serves as a scaffold to keep the artery open, ensuring sustained blood flow and helping to prevent blood clots from forming in the artery.

Angioplasty vs. Stent

It's crucial to differentiate between the angioplasty procedure and stent placement. Angioplasty refers to the actual process of widening the artery using a balloon. In contrast, stent placement is an additional step that might not be necessary in all cases but is commonly employed to enhance the procedure's effectiveness and longevity.

In other words, the two are different procedures, but a stent can be part of a coronary angioplasty, whereas an angioplasty can stand alone if a stent is unnecessary.

When an Angioplasty May Be Necessary

A condition known as atherosclerosis, or hardening of the arteries, can develop in the heart. Artery interiors may thin or become blocked by deposits of fat and cholesterol that build up. Angioplasty may be used to treat:

• An interior blockage in a coronary artery, either during or directly following a heart attack
• Blockage or constriction of coronary arteries, leading to possible heart failure
• Narrowing in coronary arteries that cannot be controlled by medications and cause persistent angina (chest pain) and reduced blood flow

Just because you have a blockage doesn’t mean you need an angioplasty procedure. Sometimes, a coronary bypass is a better option, and some blockages can be treated with medication and therapy instead of surgical procedures.

Is Angioplasty a Major Surgery?

Coronary angioplasty is not considered significant surgery since it is minimally invasive and usually performed under local anesthesia. Patients can often return to work or their normal activities more quickly than if they had undergone a coronary artery bypass graft, a significantly more invasive option for improving blood flow to the heart.

Aftercare and Recovery

It's common to experience some chest pain post-angioplasty but it's usually temporary. Your physician will prescribe medications to prevent blood clots, manage heart disease risk factors and alleviate discomfort. Recovery time varies, but most people can return to work and resume light activities within a week.

Incorporate lifestyle changes following the procedure to enhance your chances of continued improvement:

• A healthy diet
• Quitting smoking
• Regular exercise
• Regular monitoring by your physician