Balloon Angioplasty

Balloon angioplasty is a treatment for narrowed or blocked coronary arteries. These arteries bring freshly oxygenated blood and nutrients to the heart muscle. A slender, flexible catheter is threaded through an artery to the narrowed or blocked area. A tiny balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to widen the passage inside the artery, improving blood flow. 

Why balloon angioplasty is performed

Doctors perform balloon angioplasty if a coronary artery is very narrow or blocked, preventing blood from flowing effectively. This is coronary artery disease (CAD) — commonly known as heart disease. Poor blood flow to the heart muscle weakens it to the point that the heart cannot pump blood effectively to the rest of the body. Atherosclerosis — hardening of the arteries — from a buildup of plaque is the usual cause. 

A doctor may recommend balloon angioplasty if you have symptoms of CAD and only 1 to 2 arteries are affected. People with more advanced disease may need coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), which is when a surgeon uses a healthy artery from another part of the body to bypass the diseased arteries.
Balloon angioplasty may also be an emergency treatment for a heart attack. Opening up a blocked coronary artery stops the heart attack, immediately improving blood flow and saving vital heart tissue.

Doctors also perform balloon angioplasty for the carotid arteries in the neck to prevent stroke; the peripheral arteries to relieve chronic leg pain from peripheral artery disease; and the renal arteries to prevent kidney disease and failure.

What to expect

Balloon angioplasties are performed by a specialist, an interventional cardiologist, in a hospital’s cardiac catheterization lab (cath lab). You will be awake but sedated during the procedure. 
The cardiac cath team will start an intravenous (IV) line to administer sedation and any other medications you may require. The doctor inserts a catheter into an artery, usually in your groin. Using an X-ray for guidance, your doctor guides the catheter up to the blocked or narrowed area of the coronary artery. A dye is injected through the catheter to help your doctor see the artery better on X-rays. Once the catheter reaches the blockage, a tiny balloon at the end of the catheter is inflated, pushing the plaque aside. 
Your doctor may choose to insert a stent — a small narrow tube — into the affected part of your artery. The stent is a structural way to hold the artery wall open. The doctor removes the catheter after the stent is in place. 

Balloon angioplasty can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours. You will need to lie still for several hours afterwards and may need to stay overnight in a cardiac care unit. 
Risks and complications of balloon angioplasty include blood vessel damage, irregular heartbeat, heart attack, stroke, and problems with the dye. Emergency coronary artery surgery is also a possibility. However, most people have excellent outcomes from balloon angioplasty and enjoy symptom relief and improved quality of life. 

Recovery after balloon angioplasty

You may have activity and dietary restrictions following the procedure. Your doctor and care team will go over it with you. Most people return to work within a week, but it may be longer before your doctor clears exercise and strenuous activities. Also, the catheter site in your groin (or arm) may be sore and bruised for a while. Medications to prevent blood clots may be part of your recovery and treatment. Your doctor may recommend cardiac rehabilitation to help you recover. 

Keep in mind that balloon angioplasty does not necessarily prevent future problems with your coronary arteries. You can help reduce your risk of future problems by:

• Being physically active 
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Quitting smoking
• Reducing stress

Cardiac rehabilitation is a great resource if you are struggling in these areas.