Dr. Kiran Fatima, MBBS, FCPS

Matters Of The Heart
Understanding Angioplasty

Angioplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to unblock or widen clogged arteries, and it's most commonly used to relieve cardiac (heart) arteries. In the following post, we'll take a deep dive into the world of angioplasty, shedding light on how arteries become blocked in the first place, the procedures involved, the benefits, the risks, and when this life-saving intervention is needed.

Understanding the Problem

Arteries can become blocked due to an accumulation of plaque on their inner walls.As plaque builds up, it can lead to arteriosclerosis, a condition characterized by the narrowing and hardening of blood vessels over time. Arteriosclerosis restricts the oxygen supply to the heart, often leading to chest pain, heart attacks, and Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Some individuals are at higher risk, particularly those with a genetic history of coronary disease, and factors such as high blood pressure, stress, obesity, smoking, and diabetes

Procedures Used for Angioplasty

Balloon Angioplasty

This involves a catheter with a deflated balloon inserted into the blocked artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, pushing out the plaque and widening the artery.

Stents

Often used with balloon angioplasty, stents are small, hollow, metallic tubes that help maintain the artery's expansion.

Rot-ablation

A specialized catheter with a diamond-coated tip grinds away accumulated plaque in the blocked artery.

Atherectomy

This procedure involves shaving off plaque from the artery walls with a sharp blade.

Benefits and When to Consider Angioplasty

Angioplasty offers several benefits, including improved blood flow, reduced heart muscle damage after a heart attack, and a lower risk of future heart attacks. It can also alleviate chest pain and other symptoms resulting from reduced blood flow to the heart.

Angioplasty may be recommended if you have Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), have suffered a heart attack, experience recurrent angina (chest pain) that doesn't respond to medication or lifestyle changes or if an artery is severely blocked or narrowed by 70%.

Risks to Consider

Like any medical procedure, angioplasty carries certain risks, such as bleeding, clotting, or bruising at the insertion site and irregular heartbeats,

When Not to Have Angioplasty

Angioplasty may not be recommended in cases where severe angina symptoms and reduced blood flow are absent, in diabetic patients, when only small areas of the heart are affected, when the affected artery is unreachable via a catheter, or when the patient cannot take necessary medications after stenting.

Angioplasty is a life-saving procedure that can restore blood flow to the heart and alleviate serious heart conditions. However, it's essential to consult with multiple cardiac surgeons and get a second opinion before proceeding with any surgical intervention.