Angioplasty and stent

What is Angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a medical procedure in which the blood vessel is dilated by the means of small balloon. This entire procedure is performed without any cuts but rather via a small pinhole at the groin or arm level. Contrast is injected through a thin tube catheter which creates platform for diagnosis of the obstruction and the length of the affected segment. The balloon inflates inside and synchronies the dilation of the blood vessels thus improving blood circulation in the affected region.

This technique is required then the patient’s blood vessels get narrowed due to vascular inflammatorily of the walls.

What is a stent?

A stent is used for opening up the narrowed areas after dilatation. It is shaped like spring-walled meshed tube and is often used after angioplasty.

How is a stent placed?

The stent is compressed inside the catheter and it immediately positions itself to increase the diameter of the dilated vessel, once the balloon opens the affected area.

What measures should be taken after an angioplasty with or without stent?

There are certain precautions the patient must follow after the procedure is performed:

• Low fat diet
• Walking and light Exercises
• Quit smoking
• Control over your blood pressure if you are a patient of hyper tension
• Control over sugar levels if you are a patient of diabetes.
• Necessary care for daily intake of antiplatelet medication.
• Requisite daily drugs to avoid the cholesterol plaques on the walls of blood vessels.