ANGIOPLASTY

Course overview

ANGIOPLASTY WITH OR WITHOUT STENTING IS A NONSURGICAL PROCEDURE USED TO OPEN CLOGGED OR NARROW CORONARY ARTERIES DUE TO UNDERLYING ATHEROSCLEROSIS. THE PROCEDURE INVOLVES INTRODUCING AN INFLATABLE BALLOON-TIPPED CATHETER THROUGH THE SKIN IN EXTREMITIES AND INFLATING THE BALLOON ONCE IT TRAVERSES THE STENOSED ARTERIAL SITE. IT PUSHES THE ATHEROSCLEROTIC INTRALUMINAL PLAQUE AGAINST THE ARTERIAL WALL AND RESTORES THE LUMINAL DIAMETER. THEREBY IT NORMALIZES THE BLOOD FLOW TO THE MYOCARDIUM. PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION (PCI) WAS FORMERLY CALLED ANGIOPLASTY WITH STENT AND IS THE TREATMENT OF CHOICE FOR UNSTABLE ANGINA, MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION, AND SPONTANEOUS CORONARY ARTERY PERFORATION. THIS ACTIVITY REVIEWS THE INDICATIONS, CONTRAINDICATIONS, AND TECHNIQUE INVOLVED IN PERFORMING ANGIOPLASTY AND HIGHLIGHTS THE ROLE OF THE INTERPROFESSIONAL TEAM IN THE CARE OF PATIENTS UNDERGOING THIS PROCEDURE.