Angioplasty is performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory (Cath lab). Patients usually receive medication before and during angioplasty procedure to help relax. Patient remains awake and alert throughout the procedure.
Angioplasty begins by inserting a sheath for the catheter into a blood vessel, usually the upper leg or groin area, but sometimes in the arm. A hollow tube termed catheter is placed through the sheath in to the mouth of the coronary artery.
A very small balloon catheter is passed through the guiding catheter in to the coronary arteries.Once the balloon is at the narrowing of the artery, the balloon is inflated to widen the narrowed position of the artery.
Every situation , is unique, but in most cases the inflation will last from 30 seconds, up to several minutes, depending on the nature of the blockage. While the balloon is inflated, some people feel a chest pain that is similar to the angina they have experience.
This happens because the balloon is temporarily blocking the flow of blood and the oxygen that it carries to the heart. Patients should descnbe to the doctor any pain they feel during the procedure. After the block has been opened the balloon is deflated and retracted backthrough the blood vessel.
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