Understanding Angioplasty Procedures

The Cath Lab

Catheter-based procedures are performed in a special room in the hospital, called the catheterization laboratory or cath Lab. The room is fitted with high-resolution fluoroscopic and recording equipment. The fluoroscopic (X-Ray) can be rotated in various angles. Views from various camera angles are recorded and the recording of angiogram is done directly on a compact disc or a cassette.

Cornonary Angioplasty

Medically it is called Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)

• It is a simple non-operative way of opening blockages
• It is a mechanical solution to a biological problem
• Its biggest advantage is that it is less invasive (surgical)
• Patient does not need anaesthesia and most of the patients can go home on the third day

Stent Procedure

It is a metallic spring (like ballpoint pen spring)

• It is a metal scaffolding
• Used to open a blocked artery after Angioplasty
• Reduces the chances of re-blockage
• A new type of stent coated with a drug can reduce the re-blockage to 8-9 % as compared to metal stents. They are known as Drug Eluting Stents (DES)
• Angioplasty can also be done in new blockages appearing in bypassed arteries (Graft Angioplasty)

View of heart after bypass surgery