Coronary angioplasty is a medical procedure used to restore blood flow through a narrowed or blocked artery in the heart. A thin tube with a balloon or other device on the end is first threaded through a blood vessel in the arm or groin (upper thigh) up to the site of a narrowing or blockage in a coronary artery. Once in place, the balloon is then inflated to push the plaque outward against the wall of the artery, widening the artery and restoring the flow of blood through it.

The arteries of the heart (the coronary arteries) can become narrowed and blocked due to buildup of a material called plaque on their inner walls. This narrowing reduces the flow of blood through the artery and over time can result in coronary artery disease and heart attack.

Angioplasty is recommended to:

• Minimize damage to the heart muscle during a heart attack. This damage occurs when blood flow is totally cut off to an area of the heart.
• Relieve chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Treatment of coronary artery disease depends on many things such as the severity and extent of the disease, patient symptoms, and overall heart function. In some patients, alternative treatment of coronary artery disease includes medical therapy with specific medication or non-surgical treatment such as:

• Minimize damage to the heart muscle during a heart attack. This damage occurs when blood flow is totally cut off to an area of the heart.
• Relieve chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.

Prior to any surgery, your doctor will give you a complete medical examination and evaluate your overall health and your health history. You may be required to get additional tests such as X-rays and lab tests. Your doctor will also review with you the potential risks and benefits of the operation and will ask you to sign a consent form. It is important that you ask questions and be sure you understand the reason for the surgery as well as the risks.

It is important that you inform your doctor if you have allergies to any medications, what medications you are taking, and if you have bleeding problems. It is also important to inform your doctor if you are pregnant.

Your doctor will also give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. Carefully following these instructions will help your surgery go more smoothly.

Depending on the circumstances of your surgery, you may be instructed to do the following:

• Completely empty your colon and cleanse your intestines prior to surgery. You may be requested to drink clear liquids only for one or several days prior to surgery.
• Stop eating or drinking after midnight the night before the operation except medications that your doctor has told you are permissible to take with a sip of water the morning of surgery.
• Plan for your care and recovery after the operation. Find someone to drive you home after the surgery. Allow for time to rest and try to find people to help you with your day-to-day duties.
• Stop smoking at least six to eight weeks prior to surgery as smoking delays wound healing. Smokers are also more likely to have breathing problems during surgery.

Most people go home one to two days after angioplasty. Your doctor will prescribe medications that will keep you from getting blood clots. In addition, you will be given specific instructions as to how much activity you can do and what to look for in terms of infection. Most people are able to return to work in a week. Angioplasty is not a cure for coronary artery disease (CAD). Lifestyle modifications including changes to your diet and level of physical activity are recommended. Your doctor may encourage you to participate in a cardiac rehabilitation program which includes a series of educational classes on diet, stress, healthy living and physical activity.

A variety of factors may influence the cost of the surgery. They include:

• Insurance coverage
• Pre-existing health
• Insurance co-pay
• Location of the facility

These factors vary depending on you and your situation

The cost of each procedure can vary dramatically based upon age, location, gender, and insurance coverage. HealthGrades provides detailed cost estimates which include the costs of the procedure, drugs, hospital stay, and more. Each cost estimate is easy to understand and provides medical terms you need to know.

The detailed cost estimate for Coronary Angioplasty, includes costs for:

• Coronary angioplasty with intracoronary stent in the first vessel or other vessels
• Balloon angioplasty in the first vessel or other vessels
• and Plaque removal using angioplasty in the first vessel or other vessels.