Angioplasty Procedure: Benefits, Risks & Recovery Explained

By Dr John Wang, Vascular and Endovascular Surgeon at Advanced Vascular & Endovascular Clinic

What Is an Angioplasty Procedure?

An angioplasty procedure is a minimally invasive treatment used to open narrowed or blocked arteries. During the procedure, a doctor inserts a thin tube with a balloon into the artery. The balloon inflates and pushes the artery walls open, allowing blood to flow freely again. Without timely treatment, blocked arteries can cause tissue damage, organ problems, or even life-threatening complications.

Benefits of the Angioplasty Procedure

The angioplasty procedure offers several advantages over open surgery. Because it only requires a small puncture instead of a large incision, patients usually feel less pain, recover faster, and return to normal routines quickly. In addition, balloon angioplasty reduces hospital stays and lowers the overall risk of complications.

Risks of an Angioplasty Procedure and Stenting

Like all medical procedures, an angioplasty procedure carries some risks. Patients may experience bleeding or bruising at the entry site. Blood clots can form and cause the artery to narrow again. In rare cases, the contrast dye used during imaging can affect the kidneys. However, most patients recover well, and serious complications are uncommon.

Understanding Stents in the Angioplasty Procedure

In many cases, angioplasty alone works well. However, if the artery collapses or does not stay open, doctors may use a stent. A stent is a small mesh tube that acts as a scaffold inside the artery to keep it clear.

Types of Stents

• Bare-metal stents: Simple wire mesh tubes that support the artery

• Drug-eluting stents: Coated with medicine to reduce re-narrowing

• Covered stents (endografts): Larger devices used in the aorta or to treat aneurysms and bleeding

When Is a Stent Needed During an Angioplasty Procedure?

Doctors often place a stent when balloon angioplasty alone cannot keep the artery open. Stents are also used when bleeding occurs or when an aneurysm needs reinforcement to prevent rupture.

Hospital Stay and Recovery After the Angioplasty Procedure

Many patients undergo angioplasty as a day surgery and go home the same day. More complex cases, such as treatment of leg arteries or abdominal aneurysms, may require one to three days in the hospital. Even in those cases, most patients return to normal activities within a short time.

Life After the Angioplasty Procedure

Short-Term Care

Patients usually rest for a few hours to prevent bleeding. Doctors monitor for swelling, bruising, or pain near the puncture site.

Long-Term Care

Follow-up visits with ultrasound or CT scans check blood flow. Blood-thinning medications are often prescribed to prevent clotting. Patients should watch for warning signs like pain, swelling, or unusual bleeding.

Types of Angioplasty Procedures

Doctors use different techniques depending on the patient’s needs:

• Plain Balloon Angioplasty (POBA): Standard balloon treatment

• Drug-Coated Balloon Angioplasty: Balloons with medication to reduce recurrence

• Drug-Eluting Stent Placement: Combines stent support with medicine release

• Atherectomy: Removes plaque before ballooning or stenting

Conditions Treated with the Angioplasty Procedure

• Carotid arteries (neck): Reduces stroke risk

• Coronary arteries (heart): Treats chest pain and heart attacks

• Mesenteric arteries (intestines): Relieves pain after meals

• Renal arteries (kidneys): Controls high blood pressure caused by narrowing

• Leg arteries: Prevents limb loss from severe circulation issues

• Hemodialysis access circuits: Keeps fistulas and grafts working well

Preparing for an Angioplasty Procedure

Preparation begins with a consultation with a vascular specialist. The doctor explains the risks, benefits, and recovery plan. Patients who need sedation or general anesthesia usually fast for 8 to 12 hours before the procedure.

How Doctors Perform the Angioplasty Procedure

Doctors perform angioplasty under sterile conditions using advanced imaging. Depending on the case, the procedure may take place in a hybrid operating room, a catheterization lab, or a standard operating room with mobile imaging equipment. Patients may receive local anesthesia, sedation, or general anesthesia.

Key Takeaway

The angioplasty procedure is a safe and effective way to restore blood flow. It reduces the risks of serious complications and helps patients recover quickly. If you have circulation problems, speak to a vascular and endovascular surgeon to learn whether an angioplasty procedure is right for you. PRIME

You Might Also Like:

Diabetes & Your Feet: Stop Complications Before They Start by Dr. John Wang High Blood Pressure Explained: Causes, Risks & Cutting-Edge Treatment by Dr John Wang – update image Everything You Need to Know about Angioplasty by Dr John Wang Digestive Health Explained by Dr. Lim Lee Guan, Gastroenterologist Ischaemic Heart Disease Explained by Dr. Benji Lim | Novena Heart Centre