Angioplasty with stent placement is one of the most common treatments for those who have suffered a heart attack. This procedure involves increasing the blood flow to the heart muscle tissue by removing a blood clot by mechanically widening the obstructed blood vessel. In comparison to bypass surgery, angioplasty with stent placement is less invasive, and the recovery period is shorter.
Synonym
Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) or Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA),
About the Procedure
You will first be administered a sedative while the doctor selects a catheter site. You will be awake for the entire procedure and be asked to participate. Once the site is ready, an ‘introducer’ will be inserted into an artery and then a catheter over the wire. This catheter will then be guided carefully towards your heart and the coronary arteries. On arrival, dye will injected allowing your doctor to view the blockages. Then, a small balloon at the end of the tube is inflated that will press the stent against the wall of the artery and keep it open. Any tears in the artery wall will be sealed, and the stent should, hopefully, prevent the artery wall from collapsing or closing again.
Length
Angioplasty with stent placement usually takes between 1-3 hours.
Benefits
90% of angioplasties with stent treatment successfully unblocks arteries.
Who is an ideal candidate?
An ideal candidate for angioplasty with stent placement would have had a heart attack, severe chest pain or severely reduced blood flow to the heart muscles. The candidate would, however, be in decent enough health to undergo this major procedure.
Who is not an ideal candidate?
A candidate not ideal for angioplasty with stent placement would show no signs of a reduction of blood flow to the heart muscle, not be suffering from severe chest pain or would, due to other health problems, be at the risk of dying from angioplasty. The candidate would also be over the age of 75, suffer from diabetes or kidney disease or have extensive heart disease or blood clots.
Recovery
Following surgery, you will be moved to a recovery room or coronary care unit to have your condition closely monitored; this will include your heart rate, pulse and blood pressure. A large bandage will be placed at the catheter site to prevent bleeding. The immediate recovery rate is very fast, and you should be up and walking within the next 24 hours and be returning home within a couple of days. The site of your catheter may feel numb, and so you will be given pain killers. Once home, you will be advised to avoid any strenuous activity and MCI scans. The latter is due to the metal stent in place.
Planning your surgery
You will meet your doctor who will advise you whether angioplasty is the best procedure for you. During the meeting, make sure that you inform him/her of your medical past and all the medication which you have been taking.
Preparing your surgery
Prior to angioplasty, ensure that you list down all of the medication you have been taking whether they be prescription, non-prescription or herbal. In preparation for the surgery, you will be given drugs to sedate you, but you should not fall asleep. Due to anesthesia you will be administered, you will not be allowed to consume any food or drink for at least 8 hours before surgery.
Risks / Complications / Side effects
According to medical statistics, the survivor rate for angioplasty is extremely high at 99%. Complications and risks which could arise, however, from undergoing angioplasty are as follows:
• Death. This is more possible when on or more artery is blocked
• Heart Attack or stroke
• Bleeding and bruising at point of catheter insertion
• Formation of blood clots
• Sudden closure of repaired artery
• Need for repeated procedure
• Kidney problems, especially in those from kidney disease or diabetes
• Irregular heartbeat
• Adverse allergic reaction to the dye
• Need for coronary artery bypass
• Restenosis, a gradual re-narrowing of the blood vessels after surgery
After your surgery
After surgery and leaving hospital, your doctor will give you special instructions to follow in continuation of the recovery period. These instructions could include wound care, driving, activity level and suitable medication etc.
It will be highly recommended that you alter many of your lifestyle habits such as diet, exercise, smoking and alcohol.
Price range
BHT 200,000-500,000