| What is a cardiac angioplasty device? |
|
A cardiac angioplasty device is a long, thin, flexible
tube (catheter) that is threaded into a blood vessel of the heart (coronary
artery) to open an area that is narrowed or blocked. This procedure is known
as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty or PCTA. When is it used? A cardiac angioplasty device is used to open a narrowed or blocked area in a coronary artery. These blockages are usually the result of plaque build up from atherosclerosis. Blocked coronary arteries can cause angina (feelings of pain or pressure in the chest) or heart attacks. How does it work? A short tube, called a sheath, is inserted into a major artery in the groin or arm. A guide catheter is then inserted into the sheath. While watching on the X-ray images on a monitor, your doctor advances the catheter until it reaches your blocked coronary artery. To find the exact site of the blockage, a small amount of dye (contrast agent) is injected through the guide catheter. Areas of blockage show up in the X-ray images (angiogram). Once the exact location of the blockage is known, a small catheter carrying a tiny balloon is threaded through the guide catheter to the site of the blockage. When it reaches the correct location, the balloon is expanded and deflated, pushing the plaque against the artery wall and widening the artery. When the artery has opened enough to allow sufficient blood flow, the catheter and balloon are removed. Usually, a stent is placed in the artery to help keep it open after angioplasty. What will it accomplish? Angioplasty devices help open blocked blood vessels. This improves blood flow to the heart and reduces angina. What are the risks? The risks of angioplasty include bleeding, infection, chest pain, and blood clots. Other rare complications include perforation of a blood vessel (which could require stent placement or coronary artery bypass graft surgery), heart attack, and stroke. Your doctor will tell you more about the risks associated with angioplasty. When should it not be used? Angioplasty devices should not be used in patients who cannot tolerate certain catheter placement approaches. It cannot be used in patients who cannot tolerate the contrast medium used in angiography. |
