Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting (Balloon dilatation of the coronary arteries along with stent deployment)
Should the coronary angiogram show narrowing of one or more coronary arteries, angioplasty may be considered, if the lesion appears amenable for this procedure. This can be performed at same sitting, after initiating treatment with a special anticlotting drug called Plavix.
Usually, a metal stent is deployed in most cases of angiosplasty. A stent is an artificial metal tube bearing holes, which comes mounted on a deflated balloon. By inflating the balloon within the coronary artery, the stents gets expanded and pressed into the vessel wall. This gives support to the vessel wall, keeps it widely open and avoids recoil of the vessel, which would occur if the vessel was subjected to balloon dilatation alone.
The procedure is always performed in hospital with required post-procedural observation for usually 1 to 2 days within hospital.