Balloon Angioplasty: Symptoms, Classification, Diagnosis & Recovery

The catheterization laboratory (sometimes known as the "cath lab") is where balloon angioplasty is performed. The doctor injects a particular dye into the circulation through a small, thin tube known as a catheter. The dye enables your doctor to see the arteries on an X-ray display. A tiny balloon-tipped device is then placed via an artery in the arm or leg and threaded through arteries till it reaches the constricted region. The balloon is inflated to flatten the plaque against the arterial wall, allowing the artery to open and restore blood flow. After this the balloon is deflated and extracted from the body. The surgery generally takes around 1.5 to 2.5 hours followed by an overnight stay. It could also make  you drowsy till such time that the sedative wears off. 

There are several postoperative complications and risks such as

• Artery re-narrowing
• Clots in the blood
• Bleeding
• Heart attack
• Damage to the coronary arteries
• Kidney issues
• Stroke
• Heart rhythm irregularities