 Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is another approach in the treatment of coronary artery disease. The first coronary angioplasty was done in September 1977 by Dr. Andreas Grunzig in zurich, Switzerland. A specially designed balloon-tipped catheter is introduced into the coronary artery to open the narrowed portion of the coronary artery. The catheter is passed through an artery in the leg or arm and the balloon is inflated within the coronary artery. The opening for blood flow is enlarged, thus increasing the flow of blood through that artery.
About 80-90% of the cases have been reported to be successful. About 2 % of the patients may require to undergo urgent coronary artery bypass surgery. Restenosis (recurrence of the narrowing of the coronary artery), occurs in approximately 10% -20% of the individuals. This reblockage incidence is being brought down by using STENT (Steel Coil) like device which is put site at the site of angioplasty (balloon dialatation of corona). This stent works like scaffolding type device & holds back the dilatated portion of coronary artery & not allowing it to reclose. Still there is inherent chance of 5 % -10 % of reblock in the stent as it is a foreign body material put in the heart vessel. Restenosis can be treated by angioplasty again or by surgery. New class of drug coated stents are now available with less restenosis but their cost is very higher. Only a certain category of individuals can be considered ideal candidate for coronary angioplasty. The decision to select PTCA or bypass surgery for a patient is a complicated one, and will be made by you and your physician & cardiologist after careful review of your records. |
