What is primary angioplasty?
Primary angioplasty is a type of angioplasty performed as an emergency treatment for a heart attack. It involves using a balloon catheter to open a blocked coronary artery and, often, placing a stent to restore blood flow to the heart muscle.
Why is primary angioplasty performed?
Primary angioplasty is performed to quickly restore blood flow through a blocked coronary artery during a heart attack. This is crucial for minimizing heart muscle damage and improving the chances of recovery and survival.
How is primary angioplasty different from elective angioplasty?
- Timing: Primary angioplasty is performed urgently, often within a few hours of the onset of heart attack symptoms, whereas elective angioplasty is scheduled in advance for non-emergency situations.
- Purpose: The goal of primary angioplasty is to immediately relieve the blockage causing a heart attack, whereas elective angioplasty is typically used to treat chronic coronary artery disease.
How is the procedure performed?
- Preparation: You will be given medications and possibly a sedative. The procedure is performed in a catheterization lab.
- Anesthesia: Local anesthesia is applied to the site where the catheter will be inserted, commonly the groin or wrist.
- Catheter Insertion: A catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the blocked coronary artery using X-ray imaging.
- Balloon Inflation: A balloon at the tip of the catheter is inflated to compress the plaque and open the artery.
- Stent Placement: A stent is often placed to keep the artery open.
- Completion: The balloon and catheter are removed.
What should I expect during the procedure?
You may experience some pressure or discomfort when the balloon is inflated, but it should not be painful. You might also feel a warm sensation from the contrast dye used in the procedure.