Coronary Angioplasty

A coronary angioplasty is a balloon procedure to stretch open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries.

It is usually performed if you have angina or you have had a heart attack. Improving your blood flow, helps to relieve or reduce angina symptoms such as chest pains and breathlessness.

An angioplasty can be performed at the same time as an investigative coronary angiogram or as a separate procedure.

Angina

Coronary angioplasty is performed to relieve coronary artery disease symptoms such as angina. If medicines and lifestyle changes including a healthy diet, stopping smoking, and becoming more active don't improve your CAD symptoms, your cardiologist may recommend an angioplasty. They will take into consideration how severe your blockages are, where they are located, and your general health when deciding if angioplasty is your best treatment option.

Angioplasty is often used for less severe artery narrowing or blockages. It can only be used if the blockage can be reached during the procedure. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is an alternative treatment used for more severe heart disease, multiple blocked arteries, or if you have diabetes or heart failure.

Heart attack

Angioplasty is used as an emergency procedure during a heart attack. Before a heart attack, plaque bursts (ruptures) and causes a blood clot to develop at the site of the rupture. This may block the blood supply to your heart and cause a heart attack. If you have a heart attack, angioplasty can quickly open your artery and restore blood flow to your heart. This can lessen the damage to your heart caused by a heart attack.

Peripheral artery disease

Angioplasty treats peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is a narrowing of the peripheral arteries that carry blood away from your heart usually due to a build-up of fatty plaque (atherosclerosis). They are usually in your legs or arms. Blocked arteries in your neck are called carotid artery disease.

A coronary angioplasty is performed under local anaesthetic to numb your groin or wrist. You may also have sedation to keep you comfortable.

A small thin tube, called a catheter, is inserted through a small cut in your arm or groin and passed to the affected artery using X-ray guidance.

A thin, flexible wire is then passed inside the catheter and beyond the narrowed area. A small balloon is passed over the wire to the narrowed area, which is then inflated for about 20 to 30 seconds. This may be done several times. The balloon inflation squashes the fatty deposits on the inside of your artery walls and widens your artery to allow blood to flow more freely.

A wire mesh called a stent may be used to keep the artery open.

The balloon is deflated and removed and the stent is left in place.

The procedure normally takes about an hour. It depends on the number of arteries being treated.

Prior

Before a coronary angioplasty, you will have a pre-operative assessment. This may include blood tests and a general health check to ensure your suitability for this procedure.

You may also have an angiogram to look inside your arteries and check where the blockages are. Sometimes your cardiologist may do an angiogram and angioplasty at the same time.

Prior to your angioplasty, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything for four to six hours. You may also be advised not to take some medication such as that used for blood thinning or to change the timing of diabetes medication.

During

Your procedure will usually take place in a room with X-ray equipment called a catheterisation laboratory or cath lab. You will lie on your back on an X-ray table and be linked up to a heart monitor.

Your cardiologist will insert a small, flexible catheter tube into your affected artery at the top of your leg or on your wrist. They will pass a flexible wire and a deflated balloon to the narrowed area through the catheter.

The balloon will be inflated to open your artery. While the balloon is inflated, your artery is completely blocked and you may feel some chest pain. This will pass when the balloon is deflated.

A wire mesh called a stent may be used to keep your artery open. It expands at the same time as the balloon and is left in place when the balloon and catheter are removed.

After

You may go home the same day as your procedure or stay overnight in the hospital. You may feel sore where the catheter was inserted and your chest may feel tender for a few days.

Your healthcare team will advise you about your post-operative recovery. Typically, you should avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activities for about a week. Also, you won't be able to drive for a week, so you should arrange for someone to drive you home from the hospital.

The benefits of coronary angioplasty are that it:

• improves blood flow through your coronary arteries
• significantly relieves symptoms such as angina and shortness of breath
• reduces your chance of having another heart attack in the future if you’ve already had one
• improve your chances of surviving a heart attack more than clot-busting medication, called thrombolysis
• allows you to do more than you could before the procedure

A coronary angioplasty is a common and safe heart procedure. However, as with all surgery, it carries a risk of complications. This risk is generally small, but factors can increase your risk. These include your age, whether it is an emergency or planned treatment as an emergency is riskier, whether you have kidney disease, whether you have more than one blocked coronary artery, and your heart disease history.

Serious complications are less common. They can include artery damage, an allergic reaction to the contrast agent, excessive bleeding, a heart attack, a stroke, or death.

The cost of a coronary angiogram will depend on your Ramsay hospital of choice.

You will receive a formal quotation price for your cardiac resynchronisation therapy following your consultation with one of our expert cardiologists. This formal quote will be valid for 60 days.

Ramsay is recognised by all major medical insurers, this treatment is covered by most medical insurance policies as long as they are deemed medically necessary by your doctor. We advise you to obtain written authorisation from your insurance provider. 

We have a number of finance options if you are paying for your treatment yourself with no deposit and benefit from flexible payment plans to suit your finances. Find out more about accessing healthcare with us here.