Secretary for Spire Hospitals:
Amanda Rangassamy
Phone: 07875 700542
Email: amandarangssamy@gmail.com
Secretary for Nuffield Hospital:
Jyoti Mistry
Phone: 0116 274 3800
Email: jyoti.mistry@nuffieldhealth.com
Coronary Angioplasty (Stent), Leicester
Coronary angioplasty and stenting are procedures employed to expand and clear narrow or obstructed arteries that deliver blood to your heart muscle. In this process, the narrowed artery is widened using a balloon (angioplasty), and a metal scaffold (stent) is inserted into the coronary artery.
What is Coronary Angioplasty?
Coronary angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a medical procedure used to treat narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. During angioplasty, a thin, flexible tube called a catheter with a deflated balloon at its tip is inserted into the narrowed artery. Once in place, the balloon is inflated to widen the artery and improve blood flow to the heart muscle. In some cases, a stent—a small metal mesh tube—is also inserted into the artery to help keep it open after the balloon is deflated and removed. Coronary angioplasty is often performed to relieve symptoms of coronary artery disease, such as chest pain (angina), or to reduce the risk of heart attack.
When a coronary angioplasty is used
Like all organs in the body, the heart needs a constant supply of blood. This is supplied by the coronary arteries.
In some people, these arteries can become narrowed and hardened (known as atherosclerosis), which can cause coronary heart disease.
If the flow of blood to the heart becomes restricted, it can lead to chest pain known as angina, which is usually triggered by physical activity or stress.
While angina can often be treated with medication, a coronary angioplasty may be required to restore the blood supply to the heart in severe cases where medication is ineffective.
Coronary angioplasties are also often used as an emergency treatment after a heart attack.
What are the benefits of a coronary angioplasty?
In most cases, the blood flow through the coronary arteries improves after an angioplasty. Many people find their symptoms get significantly better and they're able to do more than they could before the procedure.
If you've had a heart attack, an angioplasty can increase your chances of surviving more than clot-busting medication (thrombolysis). The procedure can also reduce your chances of having another heart attack in the future.