Interventional cardiology
Coronary Balloon Angioplasty and Stenting
A minimally invasive treatment that opens a narrowed coronary artery with a balloon and usually supports it with a drug-eluting stent.
Overview
Stenting restores blood flow through a significantly narrowed or blocked coronary artery. The decision depends on symptoms, anatomy, clinical urgency and the expected benefit compared with medical or surgical treatment.
Who may be considered?
It may be considered in acute heart attack, unstable coronary syndromes or persistent symptoms caused by a significant stenosis despite appropriate medical therapy.
How is the procedure performed?
A guidewire crosses the narrowing, a balloon expands the vessel and a stent is positioned to keep it open. Intravascular imaging or physiological measurements may be used to optimise the result.
Recovery and follow-up
Many planned procedures require an overnight stay or less. Antiplatelet medication must be taken exactly as prescribed, and risk factors such as smoking, cholesterol and blood pressure require ongoing control.
Risks and safety
Bleeding, vessel injury, contrast-related kidney problems, clotting inside the stent, re-narrowing, heart attack and emergency surgery are recognised risks whose likelihood varies by patient and anatomy.