What is Angioplasty Surgery?

Everything You Need to Know About Angioplasty Surgery

Angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure used to widen narrowed arteries by compressing plaque against the artery wall to restore blood flow. A thin tube with a balloon-like attachment is inserted into blocked arteries to push apart the fatty walls and allow blood flow.

Angioplasty is an effective emergency treatment for restoring blood flow after a heart attack, though its safety and suitability depend on the patient’s overall health and clinical situation. According to the Times of India, around 4.5 lakh patients opt for an angioplasty surgery each year to open clogged arteries.  
Keep reading for a detailed insight into angioplasty surgery. 

What is the Procedure for Angioplasty Surgery? 

Here are the steps of an angioplasty surgery: 

1. A doctor uses an anaesthetic or sedative to numb you for the procedure that is about to take place. 
2. The blocked artery is accessed through a needle, which they place into your skin through an incision near the groin or arm. 
3. Wires and catheters are inserted through a tube into the enlarged artery. 
4. With the help of an X-ray machine, the catheter provides real-time images of the tissues and movements of the body. This is known as the fluoroscopy procedure. 
5. Once the blocked artery is located, a contrast dye is injected to help visualize the blood vessels on X‑ray. 
6. The catheter, a narrow long tube with a balloon at its tip, is guided towards the blocked artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated, which opens up the artery by pushing any accumulated fat against its walls. 
7. This process is repeated a few times till the healthcare provider sees a significant improvement in the blood flow. 
8. A small, expandable mesh tube called a stent may be inserted into the artery. This is a more permanent solution that can prevent further blockages or narrowing. 
9. You might feel slight pain and soreness at the site of the incision. However, it should subside in a week. 

What are the Different Types of Angioplasties? 

Angioplasty can be performed on coronary arteries and various peripheral arteries including renal, carotid, iliac, and limb arteries.

Angioplasty can also be carried out via different methods:

• Balloon Angioplasty - A balloon placed at the end of a catheter is inflated to push off plaque or fat to the side walls of an artery.
• Placement of Stents - While stents are not mandatory, they are most commonly placed after an angioplasty surgery to keep the artery open and promote blood flow. 
• Excimer Laser Coronary Angioplasty (ELCA) - It is a rarer alternative to traditional angioplasty. This procedure uses a laser instead of a balloon to remove the plaque build-up in arteries. 

How Long are the Angioplasty Surgery and Recovery Time? 

While the actual angioplasty surgery is a quick and safe procedure that can take anywhere between 30 minutes to 2 hours, you may be required to stay overnight at the hospital to monitor your vitals and primary recovery. 

Unless you underwent surgery for a heart attack, the hospital is most likely to discharge you the day after the surgery. Avoid stressful activities for a few weeks till you are fully recovered. However, you can start carrying out daily tasks within a week. 

Why Do You Need Angioplasty Surgery? 

You may need an angioplasty surgery for any of the following reasons: 

1. Kidney Disease - Renal artery stenosis—narrowing of the artery supplying the kidney—can reduce blood flow, and angioplasty may be recommended in selected cases.
2. Heart Attack - A heart attack is one of the most common reasons for angioplasty surgery. It might be an emergency procedure recommended by the doctor to clear the blockage and prevent further attacks. 
3. Carotid Artery Disease - Accumulation of fat in the arteries by your neck may lead to a sudden stroke if unmonitored. Angioplasty may be recommended to prevent such an occurrence. 
4. Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) - Such arteries are responsible for pumping blood from your heart to other organs of the body. If these arteries get blocked, a person might suffer from a heart attack or severe chest pain and hence require immediate angioplasty surgery. 
5. Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) - Peripheral arteries carry oxygen‑rich blood from the heart to the arms, legs, and other tissues. Angioplasty is a correctional surgery that is recommended to widen the artery and remove plaque build-up. 

What are the Benefits of Angioplasty?

The benefits of angioplasty are listed below:

• Improves kidney function
• Restores blood flow to the legs.
• Relieves chest pain
• Restore blood flow to the heart
• Reduces the risk of heart-related diseases
• Most patients gradually regain normal energy over days to weeks, depending on their overall condition.

What are the Risks of Angioplasty Surgery? 

There might be a few risks or downsides of an angioplasty surgery:

1.Allergic reaction to the dye used in the procedure
2.Erratic heartbeats 
3.Infection and bleeding at the site of incision
4.Heart attack 
5.Chest pains 
6.Stroke 
7.Unusual blood clots 
8.Damage to the kidney and blood vessels
9.Recurring blockage if a stent is not placed initially.

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