Angioplasty surgery is a type of procedure used to widen narrow arteries. The procedure is most common for patients who have a condition known as peripheral arterial disease. This condition results in narrowing of the arteries, and can also affect the limbs or organs other than the heart. It is also effective for treating narrowed areas in the veins, which drain blood from the limbs and organs and return it to the heart.
Before undergoing angioplasty surgery, patients must change into hospital gowns and avoid wearing jewelry. They must also refrain from eating or drinking anything for at least eight hours prior to the procedure. Patients are also asked not to drive for at least one day following the procedure. In addition, they should avoid alcoholic beverages and consuming high-fat or high-cholesterol foods and drinks for a few days before surgery. In addition, patients should avoid driving home after angioplasty surgery.
Angioplasty is a relatively painless procedure that is performed to restore blood flow to a blocked artery. During the procedure, doctors use a small catheter to guide a thin tube through the artery. The catheter is inserted into the artery, which then widens it. Patients remain awake during the procedure. The procedure may take anywhere from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on complications. The procedure has a high success rate.
After angioplasty, patients are generally cleared for flying and returning home. A follow-up appointment will be necessary after two to five days. In addition to recovering from the surgery, patients may need to take an antiplatelet medicine. This is important to prevent a heart attack or stroke. Most people don’t require an overnight stay, but emergency angioplasty patients may be kept in the hospital for several days. A physician will discuss their recovery plan and provide follow-up care.
Before angioplasty surgery, the patient must refrain from eating or drinking four hours before the procedure. Water may be allowed in small quantities to assist with medication. During the procedure, the cardiologist will guide a small tube called a catheter through the arteries. A thin wire containing an expandable balloon will be threaded through the catheter. The balloon will then be inflated to open the blocked artery. After the procedure, the stent is removed.
In some cases, angioplasty is used to open narrowed coronary arteries. This procedure is also known as percutaneous coronary intervention or PTA. The procedure is less invasive than heart bypass surgery. The surgeon inserts a narrow catheter from the groin to the point where the artery is clogged. The surgeon then guides a small balloon to the blockage area, slowly expanding it to widen the artery. The patient is then released from the procedure. In some cases, the balloon remains in place, and the stent is removed.
Before undergoing angioplasty, patients should take blood-thinning medications to prevent blood clots. The blood-thinning medication also helps to treat co-occurring conditions such as high cholesterol and diabetes. While angioplasty can clear blocked arteries, it is not a cure for atherosclerosis. A patient should be monitored closely after the procedure to ensure that they are taking the proper medications. It is important to note that patients who are allergic to a contrast agent should avoid these procedures.
