ANGIOPLASTY

Angioplasty is non-surgical process used to treat narrowed coronary arteries in patients with coronary disease. The narrowed arteries are caused by deposit of cholesterol plaque. PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) other name for angioplasty is conducted by Interventional cardiologist. 

During PCI the cardiologist feeds a deflated balloon on a catheter sent through femoral artery or radial artery up to the point of block in the heart. Feeding of catheter is guided by X-ray imaging. At the site of block the balloon is inflated to open a passage in the artery to allow the blood to flow. A stent is placed at the site of block to retain a permanent passage for the blood to flow.

 

PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION

Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting, shortly known as CABG, is the alternative method of treating arteries with blocks. In this method a blood vessel from the patient’s body is taken out and grafted over the heart bypassing the narrowed artery. This method is prone to risk of stroke. All the same CABG is found to be better than PCI in reducing death rate.

PCI is not very much beneficial with patients with stable heart diseases. However with unstable heart disease it is benevolent. Though PCI has a number of risks there is no procedural complication.

The patient is usually awake during the operation. If the patient feels discomfort at any stage the surgeon changes his method. The insertion point is near groin. Due to some bruises near the insertion point discharge from hospital may be delayed.  

Coronary stenting provides a mechanical frame work that holds the artery wall open preventing blockage of artery.  Drug eluting stents have capacity to supply certain drugs which will prevent blockage over a period of time.

In US hospitals PCI operation has reduced from 773,999 to 560,500 during last year..