What is Coronary Angioplasty?
Coronary Angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention – PCI) is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, restoring blood flow to the heart. It is often performed after a coronary angiography confirms significant blockages.
Why is Coronary Angioplasty Done?
It is recommended for:
✔️ Relieving chest pain (angina) – Caused by reduced blood flow due to artery narrowing.
✔️ Treating heart attacks – To quickly restore blood flow and minimize heart muscle damage.
✔️ Avoiding major surgery – As a less invasive alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in selected cases.
✔️ Relieving chest pain (angina) – Caused by reduced blood flow due to artery narrowing.
✔️ Treating heart attacks – To quickly restore blood flow and minimize heart muscle damage.
✔️ Avoiding major surgery – As a less invasive alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in selected cases.
How is Coronary Angioplasty Performed?
• A thin catheter is inserted into an artery in the wrist (radial artery) or groin (femoral artery) and guided to the blocked coronary artery.
• A small balloon is inflated at the blockage site to widen the artery.
• In most cases, a stent (a small metal mesh tube) is placed to keep the artery open.
• The balloon is deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place for long-term support. • The procedure usually takes 30-90 minutes, and most patients recover quickly.
• A small balloon is inflated at the blockage site to widen the artery.
• In most cases, a stent (a small metal mesh tube) is placed to keep the artery open.
• The balloon is deflated and removed, leaving the stent in place for long-term support. • The procedure usually takes 30-90 minutes, and most patients recover quickly.
What Can Coronary Angioplasty Achieve?
📌 Restores blood flow – Opens blocked arteries and improves oxygen supply to the heart.
📌 Relieves symptoms – Reduces chest pain, breathlessness, and improves exercise capacity.
📌 Reduces heart attack risk – Particularly in patients with significant blockages.
📌 Avoids emergency complications – Helps stabilize patients during heart attacks.
📌 Relieves symptoms – Reduces chest pain, breathlessness, and improves exercise capacity.
📌 Reduces heart attack risk – Particularly in patients with significant blockages.
📌 Avoids emergency complications – Helps stabilize patients during heart attacks.
