ANGIOPLASTY AND STENTING

RISKS     RESULTS     PRINT

Cholesterol can accumulate on the interior lining of the coronary arteries and form deposits referred to as cholesterol plaques. As these deposits progressively increase in size they can narrow or even completely block the arteries lumen or opening.  Angioplasty is a interventional procedure wherein a special catheter is used to dilate or open narrowed or obstructed coronary artery. The angioplasty catheter is a narrow, hollow, flexible tube that has a balloon near the end of it.

Indications   

Angioplasty may be performed to treat:

• Coronary artery disease.

• Angina and anginal equivalent.

• Myocardial infarction or heart attack.

• Residual obstruction in a coronary artery during or after a heart attack.

HOW THE PROCEDURE IS PERFORMED

• The patient is placed on a special x-ray table.

• The skin is then thoroughly cleaned with soap and antiseptic.

• The patient is covered with a sterile drape, exposing only the part of the skin through which catheters are introduced.

• The skin is then anesthesized with a local anesthetic.

• Sedatives and pain medication can be given as needed.

• In most cases the catheters used to perfrom the procedure are introduced through the femoral artey located in the groin.  The procedure can also be performed from the brachial artery in the elbow or radial artery in the wrist.

Abraham Salacata, MD, FACC