Angioplasty/Stenting

Angioplasty, also called Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), is a medical procedure used to open narrowed or blocked arteries in the heart. It restores blood flow and helps prevent heart attacks or other cardiac emergencies.

A thin tube called a catheter is inserted through an artery—usually in the groin, wrist, or arm. At the tip of the catheter, there's a small balloon. Once it reaches the blocked artery, the balloon inflates. This pushes plaque against the artery walls, widening the passage.

What Is a Stent?

A stent is a tiny mesh tube placed in the artery during angioplasty. It keeps the artery open long-term. Most modern stents are drug-eluting, meaning they slowly release medication to prevent re-narrowing.

When Is Angioplasty Recommended?

• Have blocked or narrowed coronary arteries
• Experience chest pain (angina)
• Suffer a heart attack
• Don’t respond to medication
• Need fast relief from restricted blood flow

Quick action can save heart muscle and prevent permanent damage.

Step-by-Step: What to Expect

• Preparation: You’ll fast for several hours. The area of catheter insertion is cleaned and numbed.
• Insertion: A catheter is threaded to the coronary artery.
• Balloon Inflation: The balloon expands to push plaque aside.
• Stent Placement: A stent is placed to hold the artery open.
• Completion: The catheter is removed, and the site is bandaged.

The procedure takes 30 to 90 minutes and is done under local anesthesia with mild sedation.

Recovery After Angioplasty

• You’ll rest for several hours post-procedure.
• Mild soreness or bruising at the insertion site is common.
• Most patients are discharged the same day or the next.
• You’ll need to avoid heavy lifting for a few days.
• Doctors will prescribe medications to prevent clots and reduce future risks.

Benefits of Angioplasty and Stenting

• Restores normal blood flow
• Rapid relief from chest pain
• Reduces the risk of heart attack
• Short recovery time
• Minimally invasive compared to surgery

This procedure often improves quality of life almost immediately.

Risks and Complications

While safe, some risks include:

• Bleeding or infection at the catheter site
• Re-narrowing of the artery (in-stent restenosis)
• Blood clots inside the stent
• Heart attack or stroke (rare)

Proper medication and follow-up care reduce most of these risks.

Lifestyle After Stenting

• Take prescribed medications regularly
• Quit smoking if you haven’t already
• Eat a heart-healthy diet
• Exercise regularly under doctor supervision
• Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and sugar in check

A healthy lifestyle supports stent function and heart health.