Coronary Angiogram & Angioplasty
How is Coronary Angiogram & Angioplasty performed?
- Firstly, the patient is injected with local anaesthesia
- A fine tube (catheter) is put into the artery in the groin or arm
- The tube is carefully passed into the affected part of the artery using x-rays.
- A tiny wire is passed down the artery to enable a sausage shaped balloon to be passed over it into the region that is narrowed or blocked.
- To open up the artery, the balloon is blown up with fluid, which then presses against the plaque, pushing it out of the way.
- Most of the time, one or more stents may be placed in the artery to help keep the artery open.
What is a stent?
- A stent is a metal tube or spring coil.
- This is passed into the diseased part of the artery using a balloon.
- The balloon is removed once the stent is in place.
- The stent stays implanted in the region for life.
After the procedure is completed, Dr Mani, Cardiologist in Kolkata, puts you on medical drugs/medication, which reduces the risk of blood clotting and blocking the stents. He ensures that the post-surgery affects do not refrain you from leading a healthy and normal life.
Risks of coronary angioplasty & stenting
In recommending this procedure, Dr. Mani, a Top Cardiologist in Kolkata balances the benefits and risks of the procedure, with a detailed discussion with you. He goes out of his way to have an in-depth knowledge about the patient, their lifestyle, their medical history/ background – discussing with them and their family members about the pros and cons of this surgery.
Dr. Mani believes there is a net benefit for you down the line going ahead with angioplasty & stenting.
Though this is a very complicated assessment, Dr. Mani assures that this surgery enables you to lead a healthy life.
However, the risks are higher if you have the probabilities for a heart attack.
Common risks and complications (more than 5%) include:
- Minor bruising at the puncture site.
- The coronary artery can become narrowed or blocked again.
- Many factors can influence this which your doctor will discuss with you.
- Loss of pulse in the arm after a radial artery (arm) procedure.
- Major bruising or swelling at the puncture site.
Uncommon risks and complications (1- 5%) include:
- Abnormal heart rhythm that continues for a long time. This may need an electric shock to correct.
- A heart attack.
- Surgical repair of the groin/arm puncture site or blood vessel.
Rare risks and complications (less than 1%) include:
- The stent may close within the first month. This can cause angina or heart attack. This can be treated with another angioplasty or with surgery.
- Emergency heart surgery due to complications that arise with the procedure.
- A reaction to the drugs given to prevent blood clotting.
- Minor reaction to the x-ray dye such as hives.
- Loss of kidney function due to the side effects of the x-ray dye.
- A stroke. This can cause long term disability that needs to be addressed with proper treatment.
- An allergic reaction to the x-ray dye.
- A higher lifetime risk from x-ray exposure.
- Rupture of a blood vessel requiring surgical repair and blood transfusion.
- Skin injury from radiation causing reddening of the skin.
- Death as a result of this procedure is a rare case.