Your heart doesn’t just pump blood—it needs blood to survive. So, when blocked coronary arteries threaten the heart’s blood supply, something must be done. It can be done in two ways Angioplasty or Bypass but the main question arises how we can choose the right one? Choosing the right treatment can be a complex decision that varies by several factors such as the severity of blockages, medical history, and overall health. Our expert Dr. Kartik Bhosale Choose the right option for you. In this article, Dr. Kartik Bhosale provides information about the heart blockage treatment, specifically focusing on the minimally invasive procedure known as angioplasty. By understanding the basics of angioplasty and its benefits, you can have a clearer perspective on making an informed decision about your heart health. So, Let’s Dive in it
What is Angioplasty?
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure to open the blockages in heart blood vessels with the help of a balloon and stent. It is done when there is less number of blockages, Simple Blockages, Non-Diabetic, previous CABG, Abnormal chest shape, or When Surgical risk is high. The benefits are it’s a Minimally Invasive Procedure done through the Groin or Wrist, Does not require anesthesia, does not require sutures, and Early Mobilization is Possible. Procedural risks are Perforation, Bleeding, and Low Blood pressure. Long-term risks are re-blockages, Bleeding because of blood thinner.
What is Coronary Artery Bypass?
A coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) is an open-heart surgery, an artery or vein taken from elsewhere in the body is stitched in place to reroute blood around the blocked artery. It is preferred for those patients who have multiple blockages, Complex blockages, diabetes, and lesser Ejection fraction. Risks are higher procedural mortality, Immobilization for many days, Open Heart Surgery, and Need for anesthesia. The benefits are lesser risk of Reblockages and Bleeding in the future.
Which Procedure is Useful?
Opinions regarding which procedure to do vary from person to person. It depends on Age, Diabetes, Pumping function or Ejection Fraction of the Heart, Comorbidities, Surgical risk, Number of Blockages, Severity, and Location of Blockages, etc. So it is very important to discuss all the benefits and risks of the procedure with a cardiologist before choosing them.
Angioplasty procedure:
Angioplasty is a procedure used to open blocked coronary arteries caused by coronary artery disease. It restores blood flow to the heart muscle without open-heart surgery. Angioplasty can be done in an emergency setting such as a heart attack Or it can be done as an elective. Angioplasty is also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or PTCA.
Procedure:
Angioplasty is performed by Dr. Kartik Bhosale and a team of specialized cardiovascular nurses and technicians in a special operating room called a cardiac catheterization laboratory.
Angioplasty is performed through an artery in your groin, arm, or wrist area. General anesthesia isn’t needed. Sometime sedation might be given to calm you. receive fluids, medications to relax your blood vessel, and blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) through an IV catheter in your hand or arm. Your heart rate, pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure. Your doctor will prepare the area in your leg, arm, or wrist with an antiseptic solution and will place a sterile sheet over your body. Your doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area where a puncture will be taken. Over which a plastic tube (Sheath) is inserted.
A small, thin guidewire is then inserted into the blood vessel. With the help of live X-rays, a thin tube (catheter) through your artery will be inserted over this wire. This catheter will hook your Heart Blood vessel (Coronaries). Contrast dye is injected through the catheter once it is in place. This allows your doctor to see the inside of your blood vessels and identify the blockage on X-ray images called angiograms. Then one small metallic wire is passed across a blocked vessel. A small balloon is inserted over this wire and is inflated at the site of the blockage, widening the blocked artery. After the artery is stretched, the balloon is deflated. Subsequently, a balloon-mounted stent is kept across the blockage and inflated after checking the position in Angiogram. Subsequently, again stent might be optimized with a larger size balloon. More X-ray images (angiograms) are taken to see how well blood flows through your newly widened artery. If you have several blockages, the procedure may be repeated at each blockage.
An average Angioplasty takes an hour but it may take up to several hours, depending on the difficulty and number of blockages and whether any complications arise.
After the procedure:
If you had a nonemergency procedure, you’ll probably remain at the hospital overnight while your heart is monitored and your medications are adjusted. You generally should be able to return to work or your normal routine the week after the angioplasty. When you return home, drink plenty of fluids to help flush your body of the contrast dye. Avoid strenuous exercise and lifting heavy objects for at least a day afterward. Ask your doctor or nurse about other restrictions in activity.
When faced with heart blockages, understanding the available treatment options is crucial. While bypass surgery remains a viable choice for certain cases, the advent of angioplasty as a minimally invasive alternative has revolutionized the field. By weighing factors such as age, medical history, and the complexity of blockages, patients can collaborate with their cardiologists to make an informed decision. Ultimately, the goal is to restore blood flow to the heart, ensuring a healthier future and improved quality of life. If you have any questions then contact us our specialist at +918420070081 / +918420070082.