Heart Health: PCI - Coronary Angioplasty

A coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure that is performed to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, which are the main blood vessels supplying the heart. “Angioplasty” refers to using a balloon to stretch open the artery, and it is usually followed by the insertion of a permanent stent. 

What is a Stent?

Talk to your cardiologist if you'd like more information on coronary angioplasty.

A cardiac stent is a small, expandable metal or plastic tube that is inserted into a narrowed artery to keep it open. It can also be called a heart stent or coronary stent. To open larger arteries, your surgeon may use a stent graft made of fabric. Usually blood vessel blockages are caused by a buildup of plaque. 

You may need an emergency stent if your coronary artery is blocked and/or you suffer a heart attack. The surgeon will place a catheter into the blocked coronary artery, followed by a balloon angioplasty and a stent in the artery. A stent procedure is much less invasive than coronary artery bypass surgery. Generally, recovery after a stent surgery results in less discomfort and a shorter recovery time. Your doctor will usually recommend blood-thinning drugs such as aspirin to prevent blood clots. Before getting a stent, your doctor will tell you not to take any drugs that will make it harder for your blood to clot. There are certain individuals who have nickel allergies in which certain types of stents should be avoided, and that should be made known to the cardiologist before the interventional procedure.

Talk to your cardiologist if you'd like more information on coronary angioplasty.

During the cardiac stent procedure, the surgeon will make a small incision - usually in the groin or arm - and use a catheter to guide surgical tools through your blood vessels. He or she may use an angiogram to help guide the stent to the broken or blocked blood vessel. Once the stent is placed, the surgeon will close the incision. Most patients remain in the hospital overnight after a heart stent surgery.

What to Expect After Stent Surgery

Many patients are able to return to work after a week, however, often those who have undergone emergency stent surgery take longer to recover. Your physician will recommend no heavy lifting or strenuous activity for a few weeks after surgery.
Stents are highly effective for what they're designed to do, which is to relieve obstruction from cholesterol blockages to improve symptoms, and in the cases of heart attacks, open up plugged vessels to relieve damage to heart muscle from lack of blood flow.

Talk to your cardiologist if you'd like more information on coronary angioplasty.

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Print this Action Plan and check off items that you want to discuss with your healthcare provider

• A coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure that is performed to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries, which are the main blood vessels supplying the heart.

• A cardiac stent is a small, expandable metal or plastic tube that is inserted into a narrowed artery to keep it open. It can also be called a heart stent or coronary stent.

• Before getting a stent, your doctor will tell you not to take any drugs that will make it harder for your blood to clot.

• Most patients remain in the hospital overnight after a heart stent surgery.

• Many patients are able to return to work after a week, however, often those who have undergone emergency stent surgery take longer to recover.

Adherence:
Adhering to your medications, prescribed exercises or lifestyle changes (such as dietary changes, smoking cessation, reduced alcohol consumption, etc.) is essential to improving health outcomes successfully and seeing a registered dietician can ofen help. . Compliance to any prescribed treatment is the number one thing you can do to ensure positive changes and optimal treatment outcomes.

Talk to your cardiologist if you'd like more information on coronary angioplasty.

Angioplasty is the technique of mechanically widening a narrowed or obstructed blood vessel; typically as a result of atherosclerosis. Tightly folded balloons are passed into the narrowed locations and then inflated to a fixed size.