Angioplasty procedure is done once the doctor has conducted angiogram test and is not happy with the results as the test results show problems with the blood flow.
What is the Angioplasty Procedure?
Angioplasty procedure begins with cardiac catheterization. Under this, the doctor will inject you with the medication to offer relaxation as well as create numbness to the area where the catheter will enter the body.
Secondly, a thin plastic tube, called a sheath, enters the artery through the groin or the arm. The nurse will now inject a hollow tube called a catheter through the sheath and guides it through the blood vessel to the arteries that surround the heart.
Thirdly, a nurse will inject a small amount of contrast liquid/dye through the hollow tube. The liquid passes to the end to reach the blood vessels through the tube. As it passes through the heart valves, chambers, and blood vessels, the doctor will record the entire path using x-ray. From the available pictures, it is possible for the doctor to tell if the patient is suffering from any narrowness caused due to swelling of the veins or coronary artery diseases. It will also provide details related to the proper functionality of valves.
When Does the Doctor Decide to Proceed With Angioplasty?
Depending on the results of the photographs captured by the doctor, he or she will choose to go ahead with angioplasty by moving the catheter a little further into the blocked region. The doctor will then carry out the operation using any one of the procedures as explained below:
- Balloon – The doctor will decide to use a balloon at one end of the tip of the catheter and guide it into the narrowing region of the heart. Once the catheter reaches the destination, the doctor inflates the balloon which helps in pushing the plaque and opening the path to boost circulation of blood to the heart.
- Stent – An angioplasty stent is it you that acts as a support inside the coronary artery. To place the angioplasty stent, the doctor will use the balloon catheter over a guide wire. They will perform the action at the narrowed coronary artery. After placing the angioplasty stent, the doctor will inflate the balloon, which causes the stent to expand to its original size. The physician will then inflate the balloon and remove it while the stent remains intact in the artery. The recovery period takes several weeks, during which the doctor will provide the treatment procedure along with do’s and don’ts.
The methods mentioned above are helpful in keeping the coronary arteries open. The angioplasty stent used is made of metal and is a permanent addition to the body. It is also available in other materials that the body can observe over a period. Choosing the material of the stent depends on the severity of the coronary artery disease for which the doctor is carrying out angioplasty. A few stents have medicine that prevents artery clogging again in the future. However, the decision for using the medicinal stent is the doctor’s choice and whether the body is capable of withstanding the stress.
Post-Angioplasty Treatment
The angioplasty recovery from phase fluctuates from one person to another. It also depends on the stent used. Nonetheless, the doctor will keep a constant check on the patient and ensure complete safety until there are no further complications observed. At the same time, it is also crucial for the patient to share information related to changes in their body after the angioplasty. Dizziness, weakness, chest pain, and fatigue are the common signs that one can show after angioplasty.
Explaining the cases will be helpful for the doctor to look at the treatment chart and alter it accordingly. Such instances will be of immense help in overcoming emergencies and re-occurrence of obstructions in the heart.
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