Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), more commonly known as angioplasty, is a life saving medical procedure used to restore proper blood flow to the heart. When coronary arteries become blocked due to plaque formation, an angioplasty may be an alternative option to open-heart surgery. The procedure may be necessary following a heart attack or may be used as a preventative measure when heart disease is present but has not progressed to a critical life-threatening stage. Before the procedure, a healthcare provider performs coronary angiography utilizing fluoroscopy to assess the level of blockage due to plaque build-up. Fluoroscopy is a type of animated x-ray used in conjunction with contrast dyes, to determine the level of disease present and it's precise location. If the doctor determines angioplasty is an appropriate treatment, a small catheter with a tiny balloon attached is threaded through the artery and placed at the location of the blockage. The balloon is inflated to create more space for blood flow within the artery. As an alternative, a stent, or small wire mesh, may be used to reinforce the walls of the artery ensuring adequate blood flow. New tissue will grow around the stent and within 3 to 6 months the stent will incorporate itself into the walls of the artery creating a permanent support structure.
More Information About Angioplasty
While angioplasty is considered a safe and minimally invasive procedure performed over 600,000 times a year in the United States, there are risks involved and sometimes the procedure is not successful. In 40 percent of cases when the procedure fails to open the blocked artery, open heart surgery may be needed to correct the problem. Complications from angioplasty may include blood clots formed within the stent, called stent thrombosis. The condition can lead to a heart attack or stroke if not corrected immediately. Some people experience bleeding and subsequent damage to the blood vessel used during the procedure. Other complications that may be life threatening include:
- Allergic reactions to the stent or the dye used to illuminate the artery
- Scar tissue formation
- Adverse reactions to medication
- Collapsed artery
Most complications can be avoided when patients adhere to strict long-term medication protocols following surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
In 1977, Dr. Andreas Gruntzig, original developer of angioplasty, performed the first successful procedure in humans in Zurich, Switzerland. For 40 years, the procedure has endured the reputation as one of the most important developments in the field of cardiology. Find the answers below to some of the most common questions about this life saving procedure.
Q: How long does it take to recover after angioplasty?
A: Undergoing a planned procedure should only take about a week for most people to return to normal activities. An emergency angioplasty may take weeks or several months to fully recover.
Q: Does angioplasty require sedation?
A: Because the procedure only requires a small incision, the patient is mildly sedated and a local numbing agent is used on the site where the catheter is inserted into the vein.
Q: Can I go through metal detectors at the airport when I have a stent?
A: Yes. A metal detector will not respond to a stent, nor will it adversely affect the stent.
Q: Will having a stent take years off of my life?
A: There is no evidence that stents affect lifespan overall.
Q: Can a stent become dislodged?
A: In some cases, stents have shifted from their original location, in which further surgery is required to correct the issue. However, in most cases, the stent becomes a permanent part of the artery wall.
Q: Can the balloon used in angioplasty burst?
A: Although rare, occurring only 3.5 to 10 percent of the time, a balloon may rupture requiring additional surgery. The rupture is not considered a life-threatening situation when addressed promptly and severe complications are rare.
Q: Can I smoke if I have a stent?
A: Smoking following an angioplasty will most likely lead to complications requiring another procedure at some point in the future.