Balloon Angioplasty

Before your procedure:                                                          You'll be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your procedure. Before a cardiac catheterization, routine blood tests, an EKG and a chest x-ray are usually done. The area where the catheter will be inserted will be cleaned with a special cleanser (groin or arm) to prevent infection. Before going to the cath lab, an IV will be started and medications to help you relax will be given to you. The medication may make you feel sleepy. You will probably be awake during the procedure but you may not remember it. Before your procedure, you should know that if a complication should arise, bypass surgery could be needed immediately just in case, you’ll be asked to sign a consent form for bypass surgery.
**Tell your doctor is you are allergic to x-ray dye, shellfish or other medications.

Procedure Description:                                                               In the procedure room, your blood pressure and heart rate and rhythm will be monitored. A numbing medicine is injected under the skin where the site the catheter will be inserted into your artery to perform the test. You will be draped with a sterile sheet and asked to keep your arms under it. An introducer sheath is placed into an artery in the groin or an incision is made in the artery in your arm and then a catheter is guided through the sheath. An x-ray sensitive dye is injected into your coronary artery through the catheter to help your doctor see your coronary arteries more clearly. You will see the camera moving around you and hear it as pictures are being taken. A balloon will be inflated at the blocked area to open it up. During this time, you may have the symptoms you had before the procedure (like chest pain or pressure). This happens because the balloon or catheter stops blood flow through the narrowed artery for a short time. The balloon may need to be inflated several times in order to keep the artery open. X-ray dye is then injected again to make sure the opening is big enough. If it is not, sometimes the doctor will decide to put a stent inside.

Before you leave the hospital:                                                After an angioplasty, you will return to the cardiac care unit or your hospital room for your recovery period. Your loved ones can visit with you during this time. A bandage will be placed at the site the catheter was inserted and you will be asked not to bend that area for a period of time after the procedure.
**Let the nurse know if you feel a wet, warm feeling, a sharp or burning pain at the puncture site. This could be a sign of bleeding and needs to be checked right away.
Later if you’re hungry, you can have something to eat and drink. You’ll soon be back on your feet and going home. Only your doctor can tell you the next day when you will be going home. Your lab work and EKG will need to be checked the day after your procedure before that can be determined. And it depends on the type of blood thinners you received during and after the procedure. Arrange for someone to drive you home and check with the doctor and nurse about medications and returning to your normal activities.

Follow up care:                                                                        When you return home, there are few limitations in your activity. A bruise at the site as well as soreness at the site and fatigue for a few days is common. You should not jog or lift things that weigh more than 10 lbs. for the first few days. Most people return to work within a week or so. To ensure a successful recovery, be sure to take your medications as directed and to keep your regular follow-up appointments. You will probably see your doctor within 2 weeks of the procedure and then as requested by your doctor.

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