Complex Coronary Angioplasties

Procedure

• Angioplasty is performed by a specialist in the cardiac catheterization laboratory of the hospital under local anesthesia and IV sedation.
• You will be made to lie comfortably on your back on an X-ray table.
• The area of catheter insertion, either the groin or arm, is shaved, disinfected, and a local anesthesia is injected to numb the area.
• Your physician will initially perform an angiogram to determine the extent and location of blockage within the coronary arteries.
• A tiny cut is made over the insertion site, and a small tube called a sheath is inserted into an artery in the groin.
• A flexible tube called a catheter is passed through the sheath and advanced under X-ray guidance to reach the blocked area.
• Once the blocked area is reached, a special dye is injected through the catheter, and X-ray images are taken to assess the blockage.
• A guide wire is inserted through the catheter and advanced across the blockage.
• A catheter with a deflated balloon at its end is threaded over the guide wire into the blockage.
• The balloon is inflated to push the plaque against the artery walls, opening the blocked artery and increasing blood flow to the heart.
• In many cases, a wire mesh stent is placed within the artery to help keep it open.
• After confirming successful dilation, the balloon, guide wire, and catheter are withdrawn while the stent remains in place.
• Pressure is applied to the insertion site for about 15 minutes, followed by a tight pressure bandage to prevent bleeding.