Coronary angioplasty is a procedure that allows you to open a very narrow heart artery or that has been blocked by the accumulation of cholesterol, improving chest pain and preventing the onset of serious complications such as infarction.
There are 2 main types of angioplasty, which include:
- Balloon angioplasty: a catheter is used with a small balloon at the tip that opens the artery and makes the cholesterol plaque more flattened, facilitating the passage of blood; Stent angioplasty: in addition to opening the artery with the balloon, in this type of angioplasty, a small network is left inside the artery, which helps to keep it always open.
The type of angioplasty should always be discussed with the cardiologist, as it varies according to the history of each person, requiring a thorough medical evaluation.
This type of surgery is not considered risky, since there is no need to expose the heart, just passing a small flexible tube, known as a catheter, from an artery in the groin or arm to the artery of the heart. Thus, the heart is functioning normally throughout the procedure.
How angioplasty is performed
Angioplasty is performed by passing a catheter through an artery until it reaches the heart vessels. For this, the doctor:
- Place a local anesthetic in a groin or arm location; Insert a flexible catheter from the anesthetized area to the heart; Fill the balloon as soon as the catheter is in the affected area; Place a small mesh, known as a stent, to keep the artery open, if necessary; It deflates and removes the balloon from the artery and removes the catheter.
Throughout the process, the doctor observes the catheter's progress through the X-ray to know where it is going and to ensure that the balloon is inflated in the correct location.
Important care after angioplasty
After angioplasty it is advisable to stay in the hospital to reduce the risk of bleeding and to assess the presence of other complications, such as infection, however it is possible to return home in less than 24 hours, it is only recommended to avoid efforts such as picking up heavy objects or climbing stairs for the first 2 days.
Possible risks of angioplasty
Although angioplasty is safer than open surgery to correct the artery, there are some risks, such as:
- Clot formation, hemorrhage, infection;
In addition, in some cases, kidney damage may also occur, because during the procedure a type of contrast is used which, in people with a history of kidney changes, can cause organ damage.
