Admin_NHT Staff asked 5 years ago Angioplasty, also popularly known as balloon angioplasty, is a minimally invasive surgical procedure performed to widen the narrowed arteries and veins that typically restrict blood flow. The blood vessels get narrowed due to build up along the inner walls or due to some kind of damage, this results in the reduction of the diameter of the vessel which results in very less flow or complete blockage of blood flow.
During angioplasty, a catheter in inserted via a small incision into the body. A deflated balloon is typically attached to the end of the catheter which is inserted into the body. This balloon is inflated at the target site, and this inflation puts pressure on the walls of the vessel and opens up the vessel, allowing an improved blood flow. Sometimes, a stent may also be inserted and placed in the same setup. After the stent is placed, the balloon is deflated and taken out. Stenting is done to ensure that the vessel remains open. Although the procedure is minimally invasive, it has some risks and complication associated to it : bleeding from over-inflation of the balloon, embolism due to debris in the bloodstream, reaction to the contrast agent used, radiation burns from the X-rays. Post procedure, the patients are typically observed overnight and discharged in the morning of no complications arise.