A coronary stent avoids new obstructions or a narrowing of the artery.
Angioplasty is a treatment of choice that restores blood circulation when an artery is blocked. It can be indicated during a myocardial infarction, an ischemic cerebral or ocular accident or in the event of kidney disease or members’ arteriopathy.
Types of angioplasty
There are several types of angioplasty:
- Coronary angioplasty which makes it possible to dilate the coronary arteries stenosée (or “bites”) during a myocardial infarction to restore good blood irrigation of the muscles of the heart.
- Transluminal angioplasty which consists in passing a fine tube (catheter) via the skin (percutaneous route) in the arterial system. The catheter includes a balloon at its end. The catheter is moved to the arterial system until the balloon reaches arterial narrowing in the vertebral artery. The balloon is then quickly inflated, which stretches the artery (angioplasty) and thus reduces the degree of narrowing. In the case of this angioplasty, a stent is then inserted into the artery to prevent a new narrowing.
- Carotid angioplasty Concerns people victims of an ischemic cerebral or eye accident caused by a narrowing (by an atherosclerosis plate) of one of the arteries irrigating the brain (the internal carotid artery). The technique is the same as for other regions.
What is the operation?
Angioplasty allows you to widen the arteries obstructed by a clot using a catheter (Small flexible tube) whose end has an inflatable balloon. The catheter is inserted by the doctor in the artery and, when it is well positioned, it inflates the balloon for a short time to widen the vessel and thus improve the flow of blood. In most cases, the doctor places Endoprothesis also called “stent” Inside the artery once it is widened. This metallic stent Reduces the risk that this part of the vessel shrinks again. It sometimes happens, after several weeks or months, that a blood clot forms at the level of the stent, thus risking plugging the artery. An anticoagulant treatment then makes it possible to absorb this clot. A radiography can be carried out to ensure the area of the spring.
Angioplasty takes place in A radiology roomunder the conditions of sterility necessary for the introduction of a probe in the arteries. Local anesthesia is administered at the point of entry, and sometimes general if necessary, but it is generally non -painful. The catheter is introduced either from the femoral artery located in the fold of the groin, either since the humeral or radial artery Located with a fold of the arm or on the wrist. The intervention takes place under radiological control By injecting small doses of contrast liquid to opacify the artery.
Duration
The intervention in general One to two o’clock. Then the patient is watched and must keep a compression device for a few hours on the entry point of the catheter and Stay lying for about 24 hours In case of catheterization to the fold of the groin. In principle, he can leave the hospital the day after angioplasty.
Risks
Despite technical progress, angioplasty has a risk of complications and failure in 5% of cases ::
- Allergy Most often linked to the use of iodized contrast or local anesthetic product.
- Hematoma at the point of puncture which results in a bluish appearance which can persist for several days but which is usually without consequences.
- Obstruction or injury of an artery which requires surgical repair and sometimes blood transfusion.
- Angioplasty or recurrence (Resténosis).
Overall survival at 2 years would be 85% and 3 years of 75%.
Convalescence after
Recovery depends on the indication of angioplasty. But in most cases, the day of return home, it is not recommended to drive yourself, but rather to rest. In general, the following day, and after the doctor’s agreement, it is possible to gradually resume the usual activities.
Retain
► Angioplasty restores blood circulation in a blocked artery.
► The Ballonnet technique is to inflate a small balloon in the artery to crush the atheroma plate and enlarge the diameter of the artery.
► The stent technique consists in placing a mini-resort in the artery to prevent it from rebuilding.
► Angioplasty has a risk of complications and failure in 5% of cases.
► Recovery depends on the indication of angioplasty.
