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The Angioplasty Procedure: What to Expect
The Angioplasty Procedure: What to ExpectTranscript (page 1 of 2)You have been told you need a coronary angioplasty. To better prepare for yourprocedure, it is helpful to know what to expect.A coronary angioplasty can help open up blocked arteries in your heart, restoringblood flow through your heart and decreasing your risk of a heart attack. During thisprocedure a device, called an introducer sheath, will be inserted into your arm orleg. A long, thin tube, called a catheter, is inserted through the introducer sheath andis slowly guided to the narrowed spot. Using various techniques, your doctor willcompress or reduce the plaque to widen the artery and restore blood flow.In preparation for angioplasty you will have some tests, which may include a bloodtest, a chest x-ray and an electrocardiogram. The night before the procedure you maybe asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight.You may be asked to arrive a few hours before the procedure is scheduled. If notalready done, any remaining pre-procedure tests will be completed.Let your healthcare team know as early as possible if you are allergic to iodine orcontrast agents. If you are allergic to contrast material, you will be given medicationbefore the procedure to prevent a reaction.An I.V. will be started to provide you with fluids and medication during the procedure.The place on your arm or leg where the catheter will be inserted will be cleaned toprevent infection.Next, you’ll be moved to the procedure room. Throughout the procedure you’ll berelaxed, but not asleep.You’ll be given a local anesthetic to numb the area of your leg or arm where thecatheter will be inserted. You may feel the sting of the injection, but you shouldn’t feelany pain during the procedure. If you do, let your doctor know.20% gradient meshThen the introducer sheath will be inserted into your arm or leg. The catheter will bethreaded through the sheath into an artery and carefully guided towards yourhealthclipsheart.healthclipsThe doctor will inject a small amount of contrast material that will travel through thearteries and their branches. This will show your doctor where the artery is narrowed.healthclipshealthclips(cont. next page)4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10208_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient meshThe Angioplasty Procedure: What to ExpectTranscript (page 2 of 2)Another catheter, usually with a tiny balloon attached to it, will be moved to thenarrowed spot. The balloon will be inflated for about 60 to 90 seconds to press theplaque against the artery wall, widening it so that blood flows easily again. Sometimesmore than one balloon inflation is used to compress the plaque.If needed, your doctor may also implant a small metal device, called a stent, into theartery. Using a catheter, the stent will be advanced to the spot where the plaque wascompressed and inflated to expand the stent against the artery wall. The stent will stayin place providing structural support and reducing the risk that this part of the arterywill narrow again.There are two types of stents – bare metal stents and drug-eluting stents. Overa period of months, new tissue will grow over the bare metal stent covering itcompletely. A drug-eluting stent is a metal stent that has been coated with a drug.This drug is released slowly and decreases the speed that new tissue grows.Stents are not used in every procedure. Your doctor will decide if a stent is rightfor you based on artery size, the amount and location of the blockage and otherconsiderations.If a stent is used, you will be given a special medication, called an antiplatelet agent,to prevent blood clots from forming. Depending on the type of stent used, the amountof time you need to use this medication will vary.The angioplasty and stenting procedures usually take about one hour. After theprocedure is completed, the catheter will be withdrawn. To prevent bleeding as theintroducer sheath is removed, firm hand pressure will be applied or a closure devicewill be used.“It wasn’t painful at all. And it was done so quickly I didn’t even realize what theyhad completed at the time.”20% gradient meshOnce your procedure is completed, you will be moved to the post-procedure area tostart your recovery.healthclipshealthclipshealthclipshealthclips4% gradient meshThis program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness, orsuitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.hc_ha_10208_98_en_t00002.pdf © Milner-Fenwick, Inc.healthclips5% gradient mesh
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Watch how arteries in your heart become too narrowed and blocked, and how this procedure can restore blood flow.
Learn the possible risks of angioplasty and stenting.
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