Ischaemic heart disease (so-called coronary artery disease) is a common problem among patients and a frequent cause of death. It is treated with drugs and surgical interventions. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI, angioplasty) can provide excellent results in some patients with narrowed coronary arteries.
Table of contents:
Coronarography
Coronarography is the examination of the coronary arteries using X-rays. During coronarography , so-called contrast is injected into the coronary arteries in order to visualise the arteries and their small branches in the X-ray images.
The contrast is injected through a catheter (a thin, flexible, hollow tube) that is inserted into an artery (femoral or radial) through a small skin incision. Once the catheter is inserted into the coronary artery, contrast is administered. After which a film is taken using X-rays.
The contrast is clearly visible in the X-ray as it flows through the arteries in the heart. In the angiograph, the blood flow in the heart's vessels can be seen and narrowing of the arteries can be visualised. During coronary angiography, doctors will determine whether any atherosclerotic narrowing in the arteries in the heart requires medical intervention. If the stenosis significantly impairs blood flow in the heart's vessels, single or multiple coronary artery angioplasty (PCI) procedures are performed, depending on the number of stenoses.
Angioplasty
Coronary artery balloonangioplasty was introduced in the late 1970s. PCI is a percutaneous method of widening narrowed arteries using, most commonly, balloons, stents. PCI can alleviate symptoms of coronary artery disease (e.g. dyspnoea), chest pain, improve the prognosis of patients with unstable angina and prevent death from myocardial infarction. Angioplasty is effective in treating stenosis in 90% of patients.
Cardiology consultation, photo: panthermedia
The entire procedure takes between 30 minutes and three hours. It is performed on an empty stomach. If a stent is implanted in an artery in the heart, antiplatelet treatment is required for a limited period of time. Acetylsalicylic acid (Acard, Polocard) is recommended in the absence of contraindications to be taken for the rest of life. In 30-50 per cent of patients after successful balloon angioplasty (without a stent), recurrent stenosis (restenosis) may occur at the site of balloon inflation, usually within six months after the procedure. Restenosis is more common in people with diabetes.
