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Coronary Angioplasty & Stenting
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA), commonly known as balloon angioplasty, is a procedure in which a catheter with a balloon on the tip is inserted into a narrowed area of an artery. This procedure is performed in a state-of-the-art cardiovascular catheterization laboratory. A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel in the upper thigh (groin) or arm. Using high-resolution fluoroscopic (X-ray) video and film equipment, the catheter is guided through to the coronary artery that is being treated. After the catheter is in place, the balloon is inflated and the narrowed artery is stretched open. The fatty plaque or blockage is pressed against the artery walls enlarging the diameter of the artery. After the blocked area of the artery is widened the balloon is deflated and removed. Blood flowing through the artery is increased, supplying blood to the heart.
Coronary Stent Implants
Coronary stents are often implanted in conjunction with percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). Coronary stent implants help hold open an artery so that blood can flow through the blocked or clogged coronary artery. The stent—a small, lattice-shaped wire mesh tube, props open the coronary artery and remains permanently in place. The stent is passed through the catheter and implanted in the coronary artery.
Recent development in stents devices has been made to help prevent restenosis, the reoccurrence of the narrowing of a blood vessel. Drug-eluting stents (DES) are coated with medication that is actively released to the artery.
These procedures are performed in a cardiovascular catheterization laboratory, with local anesthesia. An IV (intravenous line) into your arm or hand will provide you with medication to make the procedure as comfortable as possible.
