Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary
Angioplasty (PTCA)
Why
is the doctor performing this procedure?
To open up
coronary (heart) arteries that are narrowed or blocked by plaque build-up
(atherosclerosis).
What
is the procedure?
Percutaneous transluminal coronary
angioplasty is commonly called PTCA, or just angioplasty. A catheter is
inserted into an artery—usually in the groin—but sometimes in
the arm or wrist. The catheter is advanced to the heart, and a series of
x-ray pictures (coronary angiogram) are taken to clearly visualize the
heart arteries that are narrowed. Then a balloon-tipped catheter is
advanced to the heart, and into the narrowed coronary artery. Inside the
artery, the balloon is inflated and deflated several times, compressing the
plaque against the artery wall and widening the artery so blood flow
improves.
X-rays
pictures are repeated, and if the artery has been successfully re-opened,
the catheters are removed. Pressure is applied to the puncture site (to
stop bleeding) while the patient rests quietly.
Where
is the procedure performed?
In the
Cardiac Catheterization Lab.
How
long does this procedure take?
PTCA
(angioplasty) usually takes 1-2 hours.
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