Angioplasty & Coronary Intervention

Angioplasty is usually performed under Local Anaesthesia, although Sedation can be given if the patient is very anxious or afraid. General Anaesthesia is NOT required. A fine injection is given to numb the skin before a needle is passed into the Artery – either in the upper thigh (Femoral Artery) or the wrist (Radial Artery). A plastic tube called a “Sheath” is then advanced into the artery and remains there for the duration of the procedure. The Sheath facilitates the introduction of multiple devices such as wires, balloons and stents, so as to perform the Angioplasty. Under real-time X-ray guidance, a wire is advanced into the Aortic Root and then a long plastic tube (a “Catheter”) is positioned at the coronary arteries. A radio-opaque liquid (called “Contrast”) is injected into the coronary arteries so that the blood vessel can be seen on the X-ray. “Live” real-time video of the blood vessels is recorded (“cine sequences”). This shows where the narrowed regions are. A deflated balloon is then inserted into the narrowing and inflated to open up the vessel. This is followed by a collapsed stent which is positioned at the site of the previous narrowing and then inflated at very high pressures (multiples of atmospheric pressure. The stent is made of a special metal alloy that retains its intended shape. Once it is fully expanded, the stent will remain in the vessel permanently. The rest of the equipment including the balloon, wires, and catheter, are removed at the end of the procedure, leaving behind only the fully expanded stent.