Angioplasty in South Korea

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the most common heart diseases reported across the world. It results due to blood clot formation and plaque accumulation in the major blood vessels of the heart.

Balloon angioplasty is the most common endovascular procedure (procedure performed inside the blood vessel) carried out to treat coronary artery disease. In this procedure, the blood clots in the major arteries of the heart are detected and cleared by inserting a catheter into an artery of the hand (radial artery) or leg (femoral artery). This catheter consists of a balloon at its tip, which dislodges the clot to the periphery of the blood vessel after inflation.

Angioplasty may or may not be followed by coronary stent placement, depending on the angiography findings. This procedure is performed in patients with fewer blood clots in the vessels and those who do not respond to medications. It may also be carried out as an emergency procedure to treat a heart attack.

Signs and symptoms of plaque deposits in the heart

• Fatigue and dizziness due to insufficient blood supply to the tissues and overall decreased efficacy of the heart
• Shortness of breath to compensate for inadequate pumping of the blood
• Compromised blood flow to the heart resulting in heart attack, characterized by pain in the chest, lower jaw, and left arm

A heart bypass surgery is different from coronary stent placement or a simple balloon angioplasty. The latter is performed in the cardiac catheterization lab at the hospital.

The following steps are involved in a typical balloon angioplasty procedure:

Step 1: Placing the patient on oral sedatives

Step 2: Administration of general anaesthesia

Step 3: Incision at the femoral artery or radial artery

Step 4: Insertion of catheter into the artery through incision

Step 5: Guiding the catheter up to the base of coronary artery

Step 6: Insertion of a guidewire from within the catheter into the artery up to the site of blood clot

Step 7: Insertion of contrast dye through the catheter

Step 8: Checking for the blocks through radiograph

Step 9: Identifying the pinpoint location of the blood clot

Step 10: Passage of guide wire through catheter just beyond the region of clot

Step 11: Inflating and deflating the balloon till normal blood flow is obtained from the vessel

Step 12: Stabilizing the stent in place

Step 13: Retrieving the catheter

• You should drink plenty of fluids after the procedure. This will help the contrast dye injected into your body to dissociate easily.
• Avoid smoking for at least one to two days after the procedure to accelerate your body’s healing ability and reduce heart stent recovery time.
• Till two days after the procedure, avoid walking or standing for a long time
• If you have a stent placed, avoid vigorous exercises for up to 30 days after the procedure. Doing so will interfere with heart stent recovery time.

Contraindications: You may not be suggested to undergo balloon angioplasty if the access vessel (femoral or radial artery) is of insufficient size and quality.

Recovery time: You will be discharged from the hospital in one day. But you should avoid strenuous activities for one month after being discharged from the hospital. 

Prognosis: According to research, 79 percent of the people who receive the stent after a balloon angioplasty are relieved from angina for up to 5 years.

Benefits:

• Simple procedure with faster recovery
• Fewer chances of stroke during the procedure
• Fewer chances of infection
• Short time of hospitalization
• Lower blood loss