ANGIOPLASTY

WHAT IS ANGIOPLASTY
In the condition called '

coronary artery disease

' (CAD) the arteries supplying blood to the heart, called 'coronary arteries' develop a blockage. This blockage is due to deposition of fatty substances in the arteries. This blockage is due to deposition of fatty substances in the arteries. This blockage interrupts the blood flow to your heart muscle. Angioplasty, is a non-surgical invasive procedure performed to treat these blockages in the coronary arteries. This procedure restores the blood flow to the blood - deprived areas of the heart reducing the need for medication, and eliminating or reducing the number of episodes of angina (a squeezing, suffocating, burning feeling in your chest)

WHO NEEDS ANGIOPLASTY?
The need of angioplasty is decided based on symptoms, results of stress test (if performed) and most importantly, by finding of significant blockages / narrowing in your coronary arteries by angiography. The choice between

angioplasty

or

bypass surgery

for treatment of such blockages is made on the basis of type of blockages in your coronary arteries.

WHAT IS BALLOON ANGIOPLASTY?
In this procedure, a long, thin tube called a catheter, which has a small balloon on its tip, is directed to your blocked artery via either an artery in your leg or arm. The balloon is then inflated in your artery, at the blockage site. This flattens or compresses the plaque against your artery wall, thus opening up the path of blood flow through your artery. Depending on the location and nature of your blockage, your doctor might decide to place a stent.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN DURING THE PROCEDURE ?
You would be given a mild sedative and some pain killers to ensure that you remain relaxed during the procedure. Your doctor will insert a catheter into an artery in your groin and gently maneuver it to the heart. This catheter has a balloon as its tip. Once the catheter reaches the site of the blockage, the balloon on the end is inflated. This opens the blocked vessel and restores proper blood flow to the heart. Often, a device called a stent is also placed at the site of narrowing or blockage in order to keep the artery open. In a small number of cases, a special catheter with a small, diamond tip is used to drill through hard narrowing with calcium that is causing the blockage. This is called rotational artherectomy.

WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE PROCEDURE?
You would be required to remain in the hospital, on an average, for 2 nights. Post discharge, you will be able to resume your routine activities. Your doctor will also prescribe blood-thinning medicine, which you will have to take daily to avoid blood clotting in your heart's arteries. These medicines are essential and you should not stop them unless advised by your cardiologist. Lifestyle changes like diet and exercise would be beneficial to keep the condition in check.

CARDIAC REHABILITATION
Cardiac rehabilitation is a medically supervised program to help heart patients restore their normal life after treatment of their cardiac disease. Cardiac rehabilitation, when combined with medicine and surgical treatments, can help you recover faster, feel better, and develop a healthier lifestyle. Cardiac rehabilitation often begins in the hospital after a heart attack, heart surgery, or other heart treatment. Rehabilitation continues in an outpatient setting after you leave the hospital.

FOLLOW UP CARE
At Artemis, follow up care is an essential element of the overall treatment plan. Regular checkups will be advised to detect any changes in health as early as possible.

CARDIAC CARE AT ARTEMIS
Artemis Health Institute (AHI), Gurgaon, has one of the most advanced cardiac care facilities in the country such as Treadmill Test (TMT), Echocardiography (colour Doppler), Stress Echocardiography, 24 hours Holter monitoring, Ambulatory BP Monitoring, Stress Thallium test, 64 slice CT angiography, Coronary and Peripheral Angiography and Electrophysiological study. Artemis Health Institute also offers the best combination of equipment and doctors for world class treatment of all cardiac diseases like

coronary angioplasty

,

bypass surgery

, valvularplasty/

valve replacement surgery

, radio frequency ablation and pace maker implantation.