Benefits and Risks of Angioplasty

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Angioplasty is a procedure to open blood vessels (coronary arteries) that supply blood to the heart. This treatment is often used immediately after a heart attack.

This procedure is also called percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In many cases, a coronary artery stent is inserted after angioplasty so that blood continues to flow and prevents the arteries from constricting again.

Undergoing angioplasty in the first few hours after a heart attack may reduce the risk of other heart attacks, but timing is very important. According to the Harvard Medical School, if angioplasty is done more than 24 hours after a heart attack, there may be no benefit at all. The sooner you receive treatment for a heart attack, the lower the risk of heart failure and other complications.

Angioplasty can also relieve symptoms of heart disease in patients who have never had a heart attack.

The process and workings of angioplasty

The procedure is usually carried out under the influence of a local anesthetic. First, the arm or groin will be slashed. A catheter with a small inflatable balloon at the end will be inserted into the artery. With special X-ray videos and coloring, the surgeon will raise the catheter to the blocked coronary artery. Once in that position, the balloon will be pumped to dilate the arteries, which causes fat to accumulate (plaque) to be pushed against the arterial wall, clearing the pathway for good blood flow.

In some cases, the catheter is also equipped with stainless steel nets called stents. Stents are useful to keep blood vessels open and remain in their original position after the balloon has been deflated and taken. Once the balloon comes out, the catheter can also be removed. The procedure may take 1 1/2 to several hours.

Benefits of angioplasty after a heart attack

According to the Cardiovascular Angiography and Intervention Community (SCAI), angioplasty for the treatment of heart attacks saves many lives. This is an efficient way for blood to flow to the heart again quickly. The faster the blood flow is restored, the less damage to the heart muscle. Angioplasty also relieves chest pain and may prevent the recurrence of shortness of breath and other symptoms associated with reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

You may need more invasive open heart bypass surgery than angioplasty, which requires a much longer recovery time. Angioplasty may reduce the risk of other heart attacks and increase the chances of survival than clot-busting drugs, according to the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Risk and potential complications

All medical procedures have certain risks. You may experience an allergic reaction to anesthesia, coloring, or some material used in angioplasty. Some other risks associated with coronary angioplasty include:

Bleeding, clotting, or bruising at the insertion site
Scar tissue forms inside the stent
Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia)
Damage to blood vessels, heart valves, or arteries
Heart attack
Kidney damage, especially in people who have previously had kidney problems
Stroke (rare complication)

The risk of emergency angioplasty after a heart attack is greater than that of angioplasty performed under different circumstances.

Angioplasty does not cure blocked arteries. In some cases, the arteries can narrow again (restenosis). The risk of restenosis is higher if the stent is not used at all.

What can I expect?

After a heart attack, the doctor will explain how to maintain a healthy lifestyle for the heart. Always take medication according to your doctor's prescription. If you are a smoker, now is the time to stop. The right diet and exercise will help maintain blood pressure and cholesterol levels in the blood remain low. Choosing a healthy lifestyle can reduce the chances of getting another heart attack.

Benefits and Risks of Angioplasty

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