Coronary angioplasty is a relatively safe, minimally invasive procedure that saves your life by unblocking clogged arteries. It is a procedure during which a balloon-tipped catheter is used to open a narrowed blood vessel. An inflatable balloon mounted at the tip of a catheter is inserted through the skin into an artery and positioned across the site of an arterial blockage where the balloon is inflated to open the vessel and then deflated once the vessel is open using image guidance.
Angioplasty is commonly used to treat conditions including:
- Atherosclerosis: narrowing of the large arteries (aorta and its branches) or hardening of the arteries. It is a gradual process in which cholesterol and other fatty deposits, called plaques, build upon the artery walls.
- Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): a narrowing of the arteries in the legs or arms.
- Renal vascular hypertension: narrowing of the kidney arteries leading to high Blood Pressure.
- Carotid Artery Stenosis: narrowing of the neck arteries supplying blood to the brain.
- Coronary Artery Disease: narrowing of the coronary arteries that carry blood and oxygen to the heart muscle.
- Venous narrowing: narrowing of the central veins in the chest, abdomen or pelvis.
Is Coronary Angioplasty Right for You?
Your doctor will look at a variety of factors to decide whether the procedure is right for you. These include:
- Heart health: The current state of your heart and if you have already gone through any other heart procedures should be considered
- Symptoms severity: It may be possible to relieve mild symptoms through alternative therapies.
- Rate of blood flow: Obstruction of 50 percent or more in the left main coronary artery or 70 percent or more in a major epicardial (a vessel lying on the heart) or branch vessel is considered to be significant. Blood flow is measured with non-invasive testing.
- Ongoing medications: The type and dosage of any medications you might be taking should be considered.
- Blockage location: Angiography and an imaging test will be used by the doctor to see which parts of your vascular system are affected and to what extent. Different areas may need to be treated differently.
For each factor, your doctor will consider if the expected benefits prevail over the potential risks. There are risks associated with any procedure. The most common complications from coronary angioplasty are bleeding, damage to blood vessels and to the arteries in the heart. Thanks to advances in technology and medications used during the procedure that the major complications are rare.DR. Rajeev Rathi having a good experience of performing balloon valvotomies, and he one of the Best Cardiologist in Saket. Make an appointment balloon valvotomy treatment in Delhi.