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SURGICAL TREATMENT: CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY

Q. What is coronary angioplasty?

A. In this semisurgical technique, areas of the coronary artery obstructed by the fatty deposits are dilated using small, inflatable balloon catheters which are positioned across the obstruction using special guiding catheters. The procedure is carried out in a cardiac catheterization laboratory.

Q. What are the results?

A. The initial success rate is about 80 per cent in experienced hands. Unfortunately, about one-third of these cases suffer a relapse within a matter of about six months and have to be reoperated.

Q. Are there any dangers involved?

A. Yes, about 6 per cent of the patients require emergency bypass surgery because of acute and sudden coronary occlusion causing myocardial infarction and dangerous disturbances of the heart rhythm. Hence, the procedure can be done only in those centres where facilities for emergency bypass surgery are available. Mortality rate is about 1 per cent, if emergency bypass surgery is available, otherwise it is higher.

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Cardio & Blood