Although labeled under Heart surgery, an Angioplasty (also known as 'Balloon Angioplasty') is considered a non-surgical procedure for heart disease patients, specifically with AtherosclerosisA condition in which an artery wall thickens as the result of a build-up of fatty materials such as cholesterol (Source: Wikipedia). or blocked arteries. It is mainly used to reopen blocked coronary arteries.

During this minor heart surgery procedure, a coronary artery which has grown narrow from atherosclerosis is widened by inflating a balloon that is inserted into the coronary artery. The doctor will insert a "guide catheter" through an artery, usually the femoral artery in the leg and then guide it all the way to the site of the blockage. While everything is in place, a "balloon catheter" is inserted along the "guide catheter" to reach the blocked artery site at which point the balloon is inflated.

The inflation of the balloon will cause pressure on the fatty deposits and in affect crush them in order to reopen the artery and improve the circulation of the blood. Once this is completed, the balloon is depleted and withdrawn; the minor heart procedure is over.

Stenting Angioplasty

There is also the option of an Angioplasty with a 'StentAn artificial 'tube' usually made from metal that prevents, or counteracts, a disease-induced, localized flow constriction.' placement, in which after the balloon inflation a special metal stent is left behind permanently to keep the artery open. The stent is used as a scaffold and provides support inside the coronary artery. Following the procedure, your artery is expected to heal around the stent.

Once the procedure is done, the patient will usually have a 1 day hospitalization period and will then be released to continue resting. The patient will receive medication to protect them from artery spasmsA temporary and sudden narrowing of one of the coronary arteries. The spasm slows or stops the blood flow and starves part of the heart of oxygen-rich blood (Source: MedinaPlus). and receive specific instructions to refrain from physical activity for a week or so.

Heart Surgery

Heart surgery is defined as a surgical procedure performed by cardiac surgeons in the heart or great vessels. Many patients may be startled at first, when told they will need to undergo a sort of heart surgical procedure. However, not every heart procedure is a major operation involving open heart surgery.

Angioplasty is one of the most common minor surgical procedures performed today to treat coronary problems. As major complications are uncommon in this field, the procedure has been compared in medical journals to the simple task of going to the dentist.

Angioplasty Abroad

Once a patient is diagnosed with the need to go through with an angioplasty procedure, you want to have it done as quickly as possible under skilled and experienced hands. TicketMed works with the top cardio surgeons who perform various types of heart surgery and will be happy to assist you in scheduling an angioplasty in a top-of-the-line medical clinic. Contact us or ask for a quote.