Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
This page will give you information about a percutaneous
coronary intervention (PCI). If you have any questions, you should
ask your GP or other relevant health professional.
What is a PCI?
A PCI is a procedure to widen or unblock an artery using a small
inflatable balloon. A PCI is used to treat the symptoms of coronary
artery disease, which is narrowing of the coronary arteries (blood
vessels that supply the heart muscle with oxygen).
What are the benefits of a PCI?
Having a PCI to widen or unblock an artery should improve the
flow of blood without you having to have open heart surgery.
The main benefit is to reduce angina. A PCI may also improve
your breathing if you have breathlessness caused by blocked or
narrowed arteries. Sometimes a PCI can be used to treat an artery
during or soon after a heart attack or to reduce the risk of you
having another heart attack.
Are there any alternatives to a PCI?
For some people it may be possible to have a coronary bypass
operation. Coronary artery disease can be treated using drugs to
relieve the symptoms and to help prevent the disease getting
worse.
What does the procedure involve?
If appropriate, the cardiologist may offer you a sedative or
painkiller. A PCI usually takes between half an hour and two hours.
A sheath (a short, soft plastic tube used to access your artery) is
usually inserted in your femoral artery near your groin.
The cardiologist will pass a catheter along the artery to your
heart.
They will pass a small tube with a small inflatable balloon at
the end down the catheter and across the narrowed part of the
artery. They will then inflate the balloon to widen the artery. In
most cases, they will also expand a stent inside the artery to hold
it open (see figure 1).
Figure 1 - A PCI
a) the balloon inflated inside the artery
b) A stent being inserted to hold the artery open
What complications can happen?
Complications during or soon after
the procedure
- Bleeding after the procedure
- Bruising
- Haematoma
- Infection
- False aneurysm or arteriovenous fistula
- Kidney damage
- Allergic reaction
- Radiation exposure
- Thrombosis
- Lost stent
- Change in heart rhythm
- Blood leaking into the sac that surrounds the heart
- Heart attack
- Stroke
Late complications
- Stent restenosis
- Stent thrombosis
How soon will I recover?
You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.
It is important that you do not do any strenuous activity for
about a week.
If you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, you will
usually need to continue with most of the drugs you were on before
the procedure.
Summary
Coronary artery disease can cause pain, shortness of breath and
heart attacks. A PCI is usually a safe and effective way to relieve
your pain, and may help you to live longer.
Acknowledgements
Author: Dr Julia Baron MRCP MD
Illustrations: LifeART image copyright 2007 Lippincott Williams
& Wilkins. All rights reserved.
This document is intended for information purposes only and
should not replace advice that your relevant health professional
would give you.
Copyright © 2008 EIDO Healthcare Limited
The operation and treatment information on this website is
produced by EIDO Healthcare Ltd and is licensed by Ramsay Health
Care UK.
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You may not copy, print out, download or otherwise reproduce any
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The information should not replace advice that your relevant
health professional would give you.
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