CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Why are you being offered angioplasty or coronary dilation?

You have abnormalities in the blood supply to the heart secondary to narrowing of the coronary arteries. A narrowing of these arteries can cause chest pain, while an obstruction can cause a heart attack. Your doctors have therefore decided that it is preferable to treat these abnormalities.

Performing coronary dilatation:

The procedure is performed by inserting a catheter into the femoral artery (in the groin crease) or radial artery (at the wrist) and consists of dilating the narrowing(s) with an inflatable balloon. In the majority of cases, a stent is placed at this level. This is a type of metal mesh tube that is left in place and keeps the artery open.

This stent is generally made of so-called “active” metal because it is covered with a medication intended to reduce the risk of recurrence of the narrowing when this risk is particularly high.

The narrowing or occlusion may sometimes be impossible to cross or dilate. The risk of failure depends essentially on the complexity of the lesion. It is generally of the order of 2 to 5%, higher when the artery to be treated has been blocked for a long time.

As with coronary angiography, the patient is monitored with a minimum stay of one full day.

Are there any risks associated with coronary dilatation?

Despite technical progress in catheters, balloons, stents and the experience of doctors, coronary angioplasty, like any invasive or surgical procedure, carries a risk of incidents or accidents.

• Complications such as heart attack, serious heart rhythm disorders, stroke or coronary perforation are very rare. Exceptionally, emergency heart surgery may be necessary. Death is very rare.

• Restenosis - Scarring will occur in the areas that have been dilated. There is a risk that the narrowing will recur (called restenosis). If it does recur, further dilation may be performed. In some cases, bypass surgery may be considered.

• Puncture site complications - These have become rare. The most common complication is a hematoma that can persist for several days, but is usually harmless. More rarely, an artery may become blocked or injured and require surgical repair and/or a blood transfusion.

• Allergic complications - These are exceptional. Most often linked to iodinated contrast products or anesthetic products. If you have already had allergic manifestations, it is absolutely necessary to inform the doctor.

• Risk of radiodermatitis - This risk of skin burns is exceptional and linked to prolonged use of X-rays.

What benefits can be expected from coronary dilatation?

By allowing a greater blood supply to the heart muscle at rest and during exercise, coronary dilation reduces or eliminates angina pain and improves long-term outcomes.