Angioplasty/Stent

If your angiogram shows a narrowing or blockage in a vessel, there are several options available. One is to repair the vessel with surgery, the other is to correct the narrowing or blockage with a balloon angioplasty or placement of a stent.

A balloon angioplasty can typically be performed at the same time as your angiogram and is a well tolerated procedure where a balloon attached to a catheter is placed across a vessel narrowing or blockage and inflated. The balloon is then deflated and removed, restoring blood flow through the narrowing or blockage. Alternatively, a stent can be placed within the blood vessel to restore blood flow. This is a tube made of wire mesh, which acts as a bridge across a narrowing. It remains within the vessel for the life of the patient.

As these techniques require placement of slightly larger catheters, this may require an overnight stay in the hospital for close observation. Preparation and recovery time is similar to that of an angiogram.