Coronary angioplasty

What is it?

Coronary angioplasty treats a narrowing or a blockage in one of the heart's arteries. A balloon mounted on a catheter is advanced to the lesion and inflated to widen the passage. A stent, a small metal mesh, is usually placed to keep the artery open. The procedure is carried out through an artery, under local anaesthesia and without opening the chest: you remain awake.

Step by step

1. 1

   You lie on your back with monitoring in place. Antiplatelet medication is given before the procedure.

2. 2

   Local anaesthetic numbs the skin at the wrist or at the groin. You remain awake throughout the procedure.

3. 3

   A catheter is introduced through this entry point and positioned at the opening of the affected coronary artery. A very fine guidewire is then passed across the lesion.

4. 4

   A balloon is advanced over the wire and inflated for a few seconds at the narrowing. Brief chest discomfort may occur during inflation; tell the team if you feel it.

5. 5

   A stent is deployed at the same site to hold the artery open. The result is checked with a further injection of contrast dye.

6. 6

   The equipment is removed and the puncture site is compressed. You then stay under observation, with heart rhythm monitoring.

Recovery and follow-up

You rest for a few hours after the procedure, with monitoring of the puncture site. Usual activities are resumed over a few days, according to your doctor's instructions. The antiplatelet medication prescribed after a stent must not be stopped without medical advice. A follow-up consultation and management of your risk factors complete the treatment.