01 — Overview
About Angioplasty
Angioplasty (also called PTCA or PCI) treats narrowed or blocked coronary arteries without open surgery. A tiny balloon is passed through a catheter to the narrowing and inflated to widen the artery.
In most cases a stent — a small mesh tube, usually coated with medicine — is placed to keep the artery open. The stent stays in permanently, and medicines prescribed afterwards help keep it clear.
02 — Who may need it
- 01Significant narrowing seen on angiography
- 02Angina that is not controlled by medicines
- 03During or after a heart attack, to restore blood flow
03 — How it is done
- 1
Access
As in angiography, a catheter is passed from the wrist or groin to the heart.
- 2
Opening the artery
A fine wire crosses the narrowing and a balloon is inflated to widen it.
- 3
Stent placement
A stent is expanded against the artery wall and the balloon and catheter are removed.
04 — Before and after
- Preparation
- You will be told in advance about fasting, which medicines to continue or pause, and what to bring — usually your ID, previous reports and a list of current medicines.
- Duration & hospital stay
- Your cardiologist tells you how long the test or procedure takes and whether you can go home the same day, based on your case.
- Recovery & aftercare
- Before you leave you get a written plan for medicines, activity, work and driving, plus the date of your follow-up review.
- Risks, cost & insurance
- Risks, a cost estimate and your insurance or scheme options are explained to you and your family before consent is taken.
This page is for general information and does not replace advice from your doctor. Whether you need this test or treatment is decided after a consultation.