Coronary angioplasty
Specialty of Vascular surgery
What is it?
An angioplasty is an endovascular procedure to dilate the arteries that make the blood flow to the heart. Over time, fat-laden plaques tend to build up within the blood vessels, narrowing and hardening the arteries. An angioplasty can restore direct blood circulation to the heart whenever your arteries are too narrow or too obstructed due to coronary heart disease.
What is it for?
Angioplasty can be done to:
- Reduce the symptoms of coronary heart disease (angina and breathing problems)
- Prevent damage to the cardiac muscle, caused by heart attacks
- Increase the life expectancy of people with heart conditions
What does it involve?
This procedure is less invasive than traditional coronary artery bypass graft surgery. It doesn’t involve incisions or general anaesthetics, and recovery is quicker when compared to other surgeries.
Before doing an angioplasty, you will need to have a coronary angiography to determine exactly where the procedure needs to be done. You will be under local anaesthetics, so during the coronary angiography you will be awake. The whole procedure lasts between 45 minutes and one hour.
An introducer sheath is inserted into the blood vessel: this sort of catheter will perform a coronary angiography first, and then the angioplasty itself. The catheter is equipped with a small “balloon, which will reach the obstructed area and will then be inflated, thus restoring a normal blood flow. Finally, a small cylindrical mesh stent will be inserted onto the obstructed area to ensure a normal blood flow over time.
Post-operative progress
After an angioplasty, the recovery is relatively quick. You may be in hospital for 24 to 48 hours. After that, you’ll need to take some anticoagulants to avoid the risk of thrombosis.
Other treatment options
If you have obstructed or narrow arteries, other treatment options include pharmacotherapy and coronary artery bypass graft surgery.
Articles related to
Coronary angioplasty and stenting – from diagnosis to aftercare
By Dr David Brull
2019-09-08
Leading consultant cardiologist, Dr David Brull explains the procedure for coronary angioplasty and stenting, why it is needed, and what symptoms to look out for. See more
Heart check – what does it involve and should I be having one?
By Dr Nicholas Robinson
2019-09-07
A heart check-up is exactly that – a series of tests and examinations to assess your risk for heart disease. Whilst not everyone needs to have a heart check, there are certain groups of people who have a higher risk of developing heart problems. Dr Nicholas Robinson, a cardiologist, explains who these risk groups are and what a heart check involves. See more
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Dr Andrew Deaner
CardiologyExpert in:
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Dr Saqib Chowdhary
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Professor Michael Mahmoudi
CardiologyExpert in:
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London Cardiovascular Clinic
London Cardiovascular Clinic
66 Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 7HD
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London Cardiovascular Clinic
66 Harley St, Marylebone, London W1G 7HD, Central LondonExpert in:
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