Coronary Angiography And Angioplasty

For certain people, heart disease treatment can be achieved without surgery. Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure that can be used to open blocked heartarteries. Stent placement is another option that can be done during angioplasty.

The procedure is performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory (or cath lab) by a specialized cardiologist and a team of cardiovascular nurses and technicians.

What Happens During Angioplasty?

First, a cardiac catheterization is performed as part of angioplasty. You will receive medication for relaxation, and then the doctor will numb the site where the catheter will be inserted with local anesthesia.

Next, a sheath (a thin plastic tube) is inserted into an artery — sometimes in your groin, sometimes in the arm. A long, narrow, hollow tube, called a catheter, is passed through the sheath and guided up the blood vessel to the arteries surrounding the heart.

A small amount of contrast liquid is injected through the catheter and is photographed with an X-ray as it moves through the heart’s chambers, valves, and major vessels. From the digital pictures of the contrast material, the doctors can tell whether the coronary arteries are narrowed and whether the heart valves are working correctly.

If the decision is made to perform angioplasty, the doctor will move the catheter into the artery with the blockage. He or she will then perform one of the interventional procedures described below.

The procedure usually lasts about 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, but the preparation and recovery time add several hours. You may stay in the hospital overnight to be observed by the medical staff.

What Types of Interventional Procedures Are Used in Angioplasty?

There are several types of interventional procedures which your doctor may use when performing angioplasty. They include:

• Balloon angioplasty. During this procedure, a specially designed catheter with a small balloon tip is guided to the point of narrowing in the artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to compress plaque against the artery wall and stretch the artery open to increase blood flow to the heart.
• Stent. A stent is a small metal mesh tube that acts as a scaffold to provide support inside your coronary artery. A balloon catheter, placed over a guide wire, is used to insert the stent into the narrowed coronary artery. Once in place, the balloon tip is inflated and the stent expands to the size of the artery and holds it open. The balloon is then deflated and removed while the stent stays in place permanently. Over a several-week period, your artery heals around the stent. Stents are commonly placed during interventional procedures such as angioplasty to help keep the coronary artery open. Some stents contain medicine and are designed to reduce the risk of reblockage (restenosis). The doctor will determine if this type of stent is appropriate for your type of blockage.
• Rotablation. A special catheter, with an acorn-shaped, diamond-coated tip, is guided to the point of narrowing in your coronary artery. The tip spins around at a high speed and grinds away the plaque on your artery walls. The microscopic particles are washed away in your blood stream and filtered out by your liver and spleen. This process is repeated as needed to allow for better blood flow. This procedure is rarely used today because balloon angioplasty and stenting have much better results and are technically easier for the cardiologist to perform.
• Atherectomy. The catheter used in this procedure has a hollow cylinder on the tip with an open window on one side and a balloon on the other. When the catheter is inserted into the narrowed artery, the balloon is inflated, pushing the window against the plaque. A blade (cutter) within the cylinder rotates and shaves off any plaque that protruded into the window. The shavings are caught in a chamber within the catheter and removed. This process is repeated as needed to allow for better blood flow. Like rotablation, this procedure is rarely used today.
• Cutting Balloon. The cutting balloon catheter has a special balloon tip with small blades. When the balloon is inflated, the blades are activated. The small blades score the plaque, then the balloon compresses the plaque against the artery wall.

What Can I Expect Before an Angioplasty?

Before an angioplasty, most people will need to have a routine blood test and electrocardiogram. These tests may require separate appointments and are usually scheduled the day before the procedure.

You will not be able to eat or drink after midnight the evening before the procedure.

If you normally wear dentures or a hearing assistive device, plan to wear them during your angioplasty to help with communication. If you wear glasses, bring them also.

Please tell your doctor or nurse if you are taking Coumadin (warfarin), diuretics (water pills), or insulin. Also let them know if you are allergic to anything, especially iodine, shellfish, X-ray dye, latex or rubber products (such as rubber gloves or balloons), or penicillin-type medications.

You will need to take aspirin before the procedure. Please tell your doctor or nurse if you did not take aspirin.

You will remain awake during an angioplasty, but you are given medication to help you relax.

What Happens After an Angioplasty?

If your angioplasty was performed by inserting the catheter in the artery at your groin, you will have to lay flat (without bending your legs) while the groin sheath is in place. A sheet may be placed across your leg with the sheath to remind you to keep it straight.

After the groin sheath is removed, you must lay flat for about six hours to prevent bleeding, but your nurse can raise your head (about two pillows high) after two hours. Your nurse will tell you when you can get out of bed with assistance six hours after the groin sheath is removed (or sooner if a collagen “plug” was placed in your artery).

You should not eat or drink anything except clear liquids until the groin sheath is removed because nausea can occur during this time. Once you are allowed to eat, you will be advised to follow a heart-healthy diet. You may be admitted to the hospital overnight for observation after the procedure.

Notify your doctor or nurse immediately if you develop a fever or experience chest pain, swelling, or pain in your groin or leg. If you experience bleeding from your groin site after you return home, call 9-1-1 and lie down immediately. Remove the dressing and push down on your pulse in the affected area.

If a stent was placed during the angioplasty procedure, you will need to take platelet-blocking medications to reduce the possibility of a blood clot forming near the newly implanted stent.

When you have recovered sufficiently from the procedure and have talked with your doctor about your follow-up care, you will be able to go home.

You will need to take it easy for a few days after an angioplasty. You may climb stairs, but use a slower pace. Do not strain during bowel movements.

Gradually increase your activities until you reach your normal activity level by the end of the week.

If your angioplasty was performed by inserting the catheter in the artery at your wrist or arm, then the doctor will place a special bandage to ensure that it heals properly. You will wear this for a couple of hours, then the doctor or other provider will remove it and check to see if the artery has sufficiently healed. Lying down will not be necessary in this case.

Can Angioplasty Cure Coronary Artery Disease?

While procedures performed during coronary angioplasty will open a blocked artery, they will not cure coronary artery disease. Lifestyle factors that can worsen coronary artery disease, such as smoking and diet, will still need to be modified. An exercise program will also be prescribed to improve your cardiac health. In addition, you may need to take one or more medications for heart disease. 

Call Advanced Cardiology & Primary Care LLC

To learn more about coronary angiography and angioplasty, call Advanced Cardiology & Primary Care LLC today to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians.