Coronary Angioplasty

Your doctor will talk to you about your heart problem and explain how angioplasty can help. Angioplasty relieves symptoms of coronary artery disease by improving blood flow to your heart.

The blood flow to the heart muscle increases.

The balloon compresses the plaque against the artery wall.

During the Procedure

• A guide wire is inserted through the guiding catheter (a thin, flexible tube) and moved to the narrow spot in your artery. Your doctor tracks its movement on an angiogram, a special kind of x-ray.

• A balloon-tipped catheter is inserted through the guiding catheter and threaded over the guide wire. It is positioned at the narrow part of the artery.

• The balloon is inflated and deflated several times to compress the plaque against the artery wall. You may feel angina (chest pain) when the balloon is inflated. Tell your doctor if you do.

• The balloon is deflated and the catheters and guide wire are removed. The artery is now open, and blood flow to the heart muscle increases.

After the Procedure

• You’ll need to remain lying down for 6–12 hours.

• If the insertion site was in your groin, you may need to lie down with your leg still for several hours.

• A nurse will check the insertion site and your blood pressure. Before going home, you may have a chest x-ray and other tests.

• You usually remain in the hospital for several hours or overnight.