The angioplasty procedure
Below are some short videos illustrating what happens during an angioplasty procedure. They are for illustration only and procedures vary from patient to patient. In this example that angioplasty is performed via the femoral artery at the top of the leg. More commonly angioplasty is done via the radial artery in the wrist although this route may not be appropriate for every patient.
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Patient preparationThis video clip shows the preparation in the catheter laboratory prior to an angioplast taking place.
An intravenous canula is place in a vein to administer medication such as a mild sedative. |
Equipment used in angioplastyThis film shows some of the equipment needed to perform angioplasty. The sheath is a small tube which is inserted into the femoral artery in groin or the radial artery in the wrist. The tube is between 1.3 and 1.8mm wide and 13cm long. Also shown are the balloon catheters and stents used to dilated the artery.
There are many different types of balloons and stent used to dilate coronary arteries. Most of the stents used are coated with a drug which reduces the chances that the artery will be come narrowed again at the site of the stent treatment. |
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PCI procedureA coronary angiogram is taken at the start of the procedure to identify the area of narrowing. Following this a small, floppy guidewire is steered to the end of the coronary artery. Once the wire is in place a balloon catheter can be passed over the wire and then when it is at the site of the narrowing it is inflated. After thhis the stent, again mounted on a balloon catheter is positioned in the correct place and then deployed using a device called an indeflator.
Coronary stents are vary between 2.25mm and 5mm wide and the correct size is chosen depending on the size of the artery. Stents vary in length from 8mm through to as long as 38mm. More than one stent can be placed in the same artery. The stents are deployed into the artery at high pressure. This can often be at more than 12 atmospheres pressure. Just for reference the pressure inside your car's tyres is about 2-3 atmosphere! |
After the procedureThere is a period of recovery of several hours after the procedure. Some patients can go home the same day and others say for one night in the hospital.
Medication in the form of aspirin and clopidogrel is usually prescribed and it is very important that this is taken regularly after the procedure as it reduces the chances of problems occuring with the stent. Patients are also invited to take part in cardiac rehabilitation classes and exercise program which also reduces the risk of further heart problems from arising and contributes to well being and recovery. |
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