Angioplasty After a Heart Attack – 5 Key Benefits

Angioplasty is a surgical intervention in which the occlusive/hypertrophied vessel or coronary artery of the heart is occluded by a balloon. This form of medical therapy is usually provided after myocardial infarction to restore arterialisation and shorten the course of damage. The surgeon puts a stent inside the lumen so that it stays patent in restoring blood flow. This early coronary angioplasty after myocardial infarction (within 3 months) also reduces future myocardial heart disease. It can even relieve symptoms of coronary disease, for example, the user’s chest pain and shortness of breath, even in the absence of a history of myocardial infarction.
How is Angioplasty Done?
- Anaesthesia: Angioplasty is performed using perilesional anaesthesia to maintain intraoperative patient comfort.
- Incision: An incision in the arm or groin is made.
- Catheter insertion: At the distal end, there is a very thin, flexible tubular (a catheter) with a very small inflatable balloon end, and it is shepherded into the artery.
- Guidance: The catheter is moved to the occlusion site and accurately positioned by dye-induced injection with X-ray monitoring in the process.
- Balloon inflation: After being clamped in position, the balloon is inflated to dilate the artery and to plaque dislodge from the wall.
- Stent Placement: Conventionally, to maintain lumen patency, a stent is attached to the catheter.
- Catheter Removal: The balloon is deflated and then aspirated into the catheter.
The duration of the chip angioplasty procedure ranges from 30 minutes to several hours, depending on the complexity.
5 Key Benefits of Angioplasty After a Heart Attack
- Less Invasive: It requires only a small incision. At the same time, it has been demonstrated to reduce pain, accelerate postoperative recovery and stay in the hospital is shorter than open-heart surgery.
- Re-establishes Blood Flow: Reopens blocked arteries, preventing further heart damage and improving heart function.
- Quick Recovery: Recovery is faster compared to traditional surgeries.
- Reduces Risk of Heart Attack: Prevents life-threatening complications of coronary artery disease.
- Enhances Quality of Life: Eases chest pain, dyspnoea and other symptoms of cardiac pathology and enhances quality of life in patients.
Who Should Undergo Angioplasty?
It is generally recommended to perform angioplasty as a treatment method for CAD, which is frequently the result of the blockage of the arteries by a “fatty” (atherosclerotic) plaque.
Signs that may indicate a patient needs angioplasty include:
- Persistent chest pain (angina)
- Shortness of breath
- Fatigue during physical activity
Possible Complications Associated with Angioplasty
Like any medical intervention, angioplasty has associated risks:
- Bleeding at the site of the incision
- Allergic reaction to the dye used
- Irregular heart rhythms or disturbance in vital signs
- Damage to blood vessels or clot formation
- Stroke or heart attack in extreme cases
Patients are advised to communicate any complications immediately to their doctor.
Common questions one must ask their chosen best angioplasty expert in India include:
- the kind of angioplasty needed
- the tests necessary before the procedure
- medications that will be prescribed after the procedure
Financial Burden of Angioplasty in India
The cost of balloon angioplasty is between ₹1 lakh to ₹1.7 lakhs in India in metro cities. However, accounting for the charges of hospitalisation, ICU charges, investigation and diagnostics, and medication, the total amount is well above ₹3 lakhs. Regardless, this procedure benefits an individual greatly in improving his cardiovascular health.
Conclusion
Angioplasty is the safest and most effective intervention for restoring blood flow to the heart, thus preventing heart attacks and thereby enhancing the quality of life. The management of coronary artery disease with this procedure presents an alternative to less invasive treatments, which leads to faster recovery and better cardiac health.
Patients with symptoms of coronary artery disease would benefit immensely if they could see an experienced professional like Dr Raghu at an early stage. Dr Raghu is one of the top-most experts in angioplasty in India. He has unmatched expertise in coronary interventions and a patient-centric approach with advanced techniques for optimal outcomes. He, therefore, is the best in the field.