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Balloon angioplasty is a procedure similar to angiography for its preparations. In addition to visualising the segments where an arty is narrowed or blocked, widening or unblocking of these segments is also performed.
The majority of these procedures require an overnight stay. Preparations for angioplasty with or without stenting are as those for angiography. The catheters used here are larger than those for angiography. The procedure is also longer and will require the administration of heparin to stop the blood clotting. In angioplasty, a special catheter with a balloon at its tip is introduced into an artery (usually the femoral artery in the groin). The catheter is manipulated through the narrow or blocked segment and the balloon is then inflated. As the balloon expands, the atherosclerotic plaque is crushed, thus widening the artery. It is sometimes necessary to insert a "stent" at the end of the procedure in order to keep the artery open. Stents are " inner tubes" made of a special metal alloy. When positioned inside an artery, a stent supports the artery walls and keep the artery open after angioplasty.
After the catheters are withdrawn, a period of compression on the site of puncture is applied. Patients are advised to stay in bed for four to six hours. The pulse and blood pressure will be monitored regularly to detect any signs of postoperative bleeding. The blood pressure in the treated limb will also be taken and the reading compared with the pre-procedure values.
These are the same as those of angiography. Due to the larger catheters used and the administration of heparin, the risks of false aneurysm formation and bleeding are higher. Acute arterial occlusion, arterial embolisation and very rarely, arterial rupture are all possible complications.
Admission: Day of Procedure Anaesthetic: Local Stay in hospital: 12-24 hours Time off work: 3-7 days First follow-up appointment: 2 weeks |
A stent is placed across an area of narrowing to keep the artery open. |
