Preparing For The Angioplasty Procedure

The Angioplasty procedure is an invasive procedure that is done to re-open the Coronary Arteries

Preparing For The Angioplasty Procedure

A half hour prior to the test the patient is given heparin intravenously, to thin the blood making sure the blood does not clot . Benedryl is also given to make sure that there aren't any allergic reactions.

The patient is then put on a bed that has video monitors on one side of it and an X-ray camera above it. The patient is asked to be still and not to move throughout the entire procedure. The groin area is cleansed and shaved, electrodes are put on to measure the EKG waves, and a blue plastic sheet is put on to cover the body.

The local area of the groin, is numbed using anesthesia, it is inserted by using a needle, which just feels like several small pricks in the groin area. Within a very short while the area begins to feel numb.

The Procedure- Inserting A Catheter

The procedure is then performed by inserting a which is a long thin flexible tool with a balloon on its tip into an artery, usually in the groin, that is then guided into the coronary arteries.

The balloon or angioplasty catheter is passed into the segment that is to be opened up. The end of the catheter contains a small folded balloon.

When The Balloon

Is hydraulically inflated, it compresses the plaque and stretches the artery wall to expand.

At the same time, if an expandable is on the ball, then the stent will be implanted and left behind to support the new stretched open position of the artery from the inside.

Wire Mesh Tube Stent

During the procedure the doctors decides if ballooning the artery will be sufficient, or the stent needs to be implanted, since each one has its own risk factors that need to be determined.

As with any other thing The angioplasty procedure risks has to be determined.