Angioplasty

Angioplasty is an extremely common procedure with over 45,000 people in the UK having it carried out each year. If following an Angiography (See section on Angiography) it has been found that you have narrowing of the Coronary arteries then you may well be advised to have an Angioplasty.

An Angioplasty is a technique which aims to flatten out the Atheroma (deposits of fat and cholesterol) that has built up inside the walls of your arteries causing them to become narrow. This narrowing results in reduced blood flow to your heart and consequently problems.

The procedure: Angioplasty:

• A catheter (hollow tube normally made of rubber which can inject fluid) with a tiny balloon on the end is threaded through an artery (normally in the groin or arm) until it reaches the affected Coronary artery.
• The doctor checks on the X-Ray screen that the tube is in the right place.
• He/she then inflates the balloon thus squashing the atheroma on the inside of the artery.
• Usually the Catheter has a stent (stainless steel mesh tubing) attached to it which is opened up when the balloon is inflated. This further widens the artery and remains there to prevent the artery from narrowing again.
• If you have had a stent fitted then your GP will give you medication to stop blood clots forming around it.
• A special dye is then injected via the catheter to see how well the blood is flowing through the artery. This is seen by the use of an X-Ray.
• If the blood is flowing well then the balloon is taken out but the stent remains.
• The procedure normally takes around 30 minutes.

The risks: Angioplasty:

• The treated arteries become narrow again and may need to be re-treated.
• Some people are allergic to the dye used in the angiogram. This is rare.
• The coronary artery may become completely blocked during or immediately after the procedure. If this happens the angioplasty may have to be repeated. In 2% of cases an emergency coronary bypass may have to be carried out.
• A clot may become dislodged during the procedure and this could lead to a stroke.

‘This information is intended as a guide only and should not be used as a substitute for medical information from your own doctor’