Balloon Angioplasty/Coronary Stenting
Angioplasty is a procedure that uses a tiny balloon at the tip of a catheter to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to the heart. These blood vessels are called the coronary arteries and, over time, they can become blocked by a fatty substance called plaque.
A coronary artery stent is a small metal mesh tube that expands inside a coronary artery. A stent is often placed during or immediately after angioplasty. It helps prevent the artery from closing up again. A drug-eluting stent has medicine embedeed in it that helps prevent the artery from closing.
Angioplasty and stenting are performed after a diagnostic heart catheterization determines that a serious narrowing or blockage is present in the coronary arteries.
Angioplasty through the Wrist
 |
| Dr. Ali Ziaee, interventional cardiologist, examines the wrist of Bill Slater, of Maryland Heights, following his radial angioplasty. |
While most angioplasty procedures are performed through the femoral artery in the groin, a growing number are being done through the radial artery in the wrist. A recent study shows that angioplasty performed through the radial artery results in fewer complications, especially for those who have already suffered a heart attack. This approach can lessen the need for blood transfusions or surgery. The procedure through the wrist can be easier on the patients, who recover in just a few hours with the help of a wrist band to control bleeding at the puncture site.
Nationally, only 5 percent of angioplasty cases are performed through the wrist. At SSM Heart Institute, nearly 20 percent of angioplasty procedures are now done with the radial technique. Seven cardiologists – Dr. Elie Azrak, Dr. Sami Bishara, Dr. Manoj Eapen, Dr. Carlos Seuc, Dr. Mark Taber, Dr. Dana Valencia and Dr. Ali Ziaee – are performing radial angioplasty procedures.
Specialized Heart Pump Opens Angioplasty to More Patients
In the past, patients with poor heart pumping function may have been considered too high-risk for an angioplasty procedure or heart surgery. Now, a state-of-the-art miniature pumping device called the Impella 2.5 has opened the door for many of these patients to have life-saving angioplasty.
The Impella is the world’s smallest heart pump, moving 2.5 liters of blood through the heart’s left ventricle per minute. It helps improve blood flow and reduces the heart’s workload and oxygen consumption. The tiny device is inserted through a catheter in the groin to the heart’s left ventricle, where it stays until the angioplasty/stenting procedure is complete. Once the blockages are re-opened, the Impella is gradually reduced and then removed from the body.