St. Louis, MO Angioplasty Procedure Cost Comparison

• Angioplasty Procedure Types in St. Louis
• Angioplasty Procedure Providers in St. Louis

Angioplasty Introduction

Angioplasty is a relatively simple procedure that will increase or restore blood flow through an artery. This procedure is for people who have blocked or narrowed arteries due to coronary artery disease or may have suffered a heart attack. During this simple procedure, the doctor pushes a thin tube (catheter) with a balloon attached to the end up through a blood vessel in the arm or groin. Once the balloon is in place, the doctor inflates the balloon to move plaque (a sticky substance made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances found in the blood) toward the arterial walls, widening the artery to allow increased blood flow. Angioplasties can reduce chest pain by increasing blood flow, and it can also minimize damage to the heart following a heart attack. Angioplasties cause minimal pain. Cardiologists perform most angioplasties. You will be administered a sedative, but you will remain awake during the procedure. Patients usually spend one night in the hospital and can return to work in less than a week.

Patient Preparation for Angioplasty

You doctor will perform a physical exam along with blood or other diagnostic tests, such as X-rays and MRIs. It is particularly important to inform the physician of all medications or vitamins taken regularly or if you are pregnant (or think you might be pregnant). Tell your doctor if you have other medical conditions that may need special attention, or if you have a history of bleeding disorders or if you are taking any anticoagulant (blood-thinning) medications, aspirin or other medications that affect blood clotting. You will be given instructions in advance that will outline what you should and should not do in preparation for the procedure; be sure to read and follow those instructions. You may be asked to fast for eight hours before the procedure, generally after midnight, even though you will not be under general anesthesia. If you are given a prescription for pain medication, have it filled prior to surgery.

What to Expect During and After an Angioplasty

The procedure itself usually takes between 30 minutes and an hour. Patients typically arrive at the facility two hours before the procedure. An intravenous line is inserted into the arm to administer a sedative and any other medications that may be needed. Your heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate and oxygen level will be monitored during the procedure.

The doctor will numb the area on your arm (near the brachial artery) or groin (femoral artery) where he or she will insert the catheter. Angioplasties cause very little pain.

The surgeon will make an incision and then push the catheter through the artery toward the heart into the coronary artery. Throughout the procedure, the doctor will be able to view the movement of the catheter with an x-ray attached to a monitor. When the tip of the catheter reaches the blockage, a smaller tube with a balloon attached will be threaded through the larger catheter. Once in place, the balloon will be inflated. This will push the plaque to the arterial wall to make a wider opening. The doctor will continue to inflate the balloon until the desired blood flow is reached. This process may be repeated once or twice until the artery remains open. Finally, the catheter will be removed.

After surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room for observation. It can take a few hours for the sedatives to wear off. A healthcare worker or a special device will apply pressure to the incision until it stop bleeding -- usually about 20 minutes. You will to stay in bed for about six hour following the angioplasty. After this period, a nurse or technician will help you get out of bed. You will be encouraged to walk around. If no complications occur overnight, you will be discharged to go home. Make sure you arrange a ride.

You will be given instructions about care for your incisions, limits on activities and what you should do to aid your recovery. You’ll be able to return to your job if it does not require physical exertion within a day of being discharged; however, your doctor may advise you to wait several days if your job duties require you to use your legs, bend or lift. Your cardiologist may prescribe a blood thinner to lower your chances of developing a blood clot. After six weeks, you will return to your doctor for a stress test to make sure the artery has remained open. If you have chest pains or other cardiac symptoms return, contact your doctor immediately and go to the emergency room.