Angioplasty & Stenting

Angioplasty & Stenting

Angioplasty is a procedure which is used to open blocked or narrowed blood vessels which supply blood to the heart. These blood vessels are called as the coronary arteries.

A coronary artery stent is a metal mesh small tube which expands inside a coronary artery. Usually, a stent is placed immediately after or during the angioplasty. The stent helps prevent the artery from closing it up again. A medicine embedded stent is known as a drug-eluting stent which is helpful in preventing the artery in closing up in the long.

Why the Procedure is Performed Arteries can become blocked or narrowed by the deposits which are called plague. Plague is made up of cholesterol and fat which is builds on the inside of the wall of artery walls. This condition is called as the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Angioplasty may be used to treat:

The Blockage in a coronary artery after or during a heart attack narrowing or Blockage of one or more coronary arteries which may lead to poor heart function or even heart failure Narrowings which reduce blood flow and could cause persistent chest pain (known as angina) which medicines don’t control Not every blockage can be treated with angioplasty. Some of the people who will have blockages in certain locations or several blockages may need coronary bypass surgery.