Angioplasty - balloon angioplasty, coronary angioplasty, angioplasty laser surgery

Angioplasty is a technique used to restore adequate blood flow through damaged arteries, particularly coronary arteries which allows more blood and oxygen to be delivered to the heart muscle. PTCA is accomplished with a small balloon catheter inserted into an artery in the groin or arm, and advanced to the narrowing in the coronary artery.

Angioplasty is a medical procedure in which a balloon is used to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries). It is not considered to be a type of surgery. The most common procedure is balloon angioplasty. This procedure is relatively simple, with only a small incision in the groin needed to introduce the equipment. Whether the angioplasty is prescheduled or done as an emergency, you'll likely have some routine tests first, including:

• Chest X-ray
• Electrocardiogram
• Blood tests

Using X-ray imaging to ensure correct placement, a catheter (thin tube) with a balloon near its tip is passed into the narrowed part of the artery. Once in place, the banoon is inflated to compress protrusions in the interior of the artery and reopen it. Coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure used to open arteries that have narrowed to the point that they impede blood flow to the heart. This procedure can improve some of the symptoms associated with blocked arteries, such as chest pain, heart attack and stroke. Angioplasty is recommended for patients with one or more of the following symptoms:

• Blockage (stenosis) of one or more coronary arteries
• Angina not well controlled with medication
• Angina that disrupts daily activities, occurs at rest (i.e., without exercise or exertion), or recurs after heart attack

Risk Factors of Angioplasty

The risks for any anesthesia are:

• Reactions to medications
• Problems breathing

The risks for any surgery are:

• Bleeding
• Infection

Additional risks include:

• Complete obstruction of blood flow to an area of the heart (a small risk, less than 1%; a heart surgery team is on standby)
• Damage to a valve or blood vessel
• Stroke
• Arrhythmia
• Bleeding in the groin (or other catheter access site)
• Kidney failure
• Allergic reaction to the X-ray dye
• Death

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