Angioplasty procedure in bangalore

A Heart Attack or Myocardial infarction is unpredictable and can strike anytime without warning, and when it does, every second counts. The primary angioplasty is the procedure used in this type of emergency. This article will explore everything you need to know about this saviour in an emergency situation like a Heart attack, from treatment to procedure

A myocardial infarction, most famously known as a heart attack, strikes when factors like insoluble fats or blood clots accumulate and block coronary arteries, the blood vessels which carry blood to the heart. This blockage disrupts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This blockage, when left untreated, eventually leads to myocardial infarction, which can emerge anytime and requires an emergency solution. The primary angioplasty in Bangalore is the solution for you, it is a complex procedure which requires the finest care and ability to deal with these kinds of emergencies. This is where Gleneagles Hospital’s expertise stands out, as it is a premier multidisciplinary hospital that has been dealing with these emergencies for years.

Primary Angioplasty is a kind of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) which is performed on patients who have undergone a heart attack. Primary Angioplasty treatment in Bangalore involves physically opening the blocked artery using a catheter and stent, unlike the traditional method, which uses clot-dissolving (thrombolysis) medications to thin out the blood clots. The aim is to restore the heart muscle's blood supply as a matter of urgency and reduce damage due to insufficient oxygenated blood. The word “Primary" implies the procedure is being carried out immediately after a heart attack is diagnosed, usually in the first several hours after the start of symptoms, and not preceded by intravenous thrombolytic drug injection.

While the main procedure for Angioplasty in Bangalore remains constant, it is divided into several types based on the approach used on a certain patient, which depends upon the patient’s own condition and the location of the blockage. These are the main types of primary angioplasty: 

Balloon Angioplasty: The procedure involves inserting a balloon catheter into the blocked artery. When it reaches the blocked part of the artery, the balloon is inflated, which results in compression of the plaque and eventually widening the artery to regain normal blood flow. 

Laser Angioplasty: Laser Angioplasty in Bangalore uses a catheter incorporated with a laser tip to vaporise the plaque blocking the coronary artery. This method is primarily used for evading the hard or calcified plaque that can be cleared with balloon inflation. 

Stent Placement: In the case of primary angioplasty, Bare-metal stents are used after a balloon angioplasty. These stents (a small mesh tube) give structural support to the artery so that it does not collapse or re-narrow after the procedure. Bare-metal stents are usually employed when there are no serious complications or problems with the patient's blood clotting. 

Thrombectomy: This method is used for the thinning of blood clots from the artery, also known as thrombectomy, which is performed as a part of primary angioplasty. A thrombectomy device removes the clot from the artery, facilitating the flow of blood more easily. It is performed along with balloon angioplasty or stent implantation, especially in patients who are suffering from acute myocardial infarction.

Primary angioplasty is a procedure used in an emergency situation; hence, doctors and surgeons don’t have much time to prepare for the surgery. However, there are some essential steps that need to be taken before the Primary Angioplasty to get a successful outcome. The patient will be immediately assessed by a cardiologist or emergency team upon arrival at the hospital. The evaluation begins with evaluating several tests and reports, which include: 

Symptoms Review: The physician will ask the patient about the symptoms, especially chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or any indication of a heart attack. 

Electrocardiogram (ECG): The ECG is one of the first tests that are conducted to verify a myocardial infarction (heart attack). 

Blood Tests: Blood is usually taken to measure levels of cardiac enzymes (e.g., troponin) that are markers of damage to the heart muscle. A few tests may be done to check kidney function, blood clotting, and other important features before the procedure. 

Intravenous (IV) Line Insertion: An IV line is inserted to administer fluids, medication, and anaesthesia or sedation during the procedure. This keeps the patient comfortable and hydrated during the procedure.

The primary angioplasty procedure in Bangalore is generally performed in an intensive care unit, in a catheterisation lab, under local anaesthesia and mild sedative drugs. Following the anaesthesia, the procedure is performed in a few steps. These steps include: 

Catheter Insertion: A small incision in the wrist or groin is made with proper care, and a catheter is inserted into the blood vessel. The catheter is inserted so that it reaches the point of blockage in the coronary artery with fluoroscopic guidance. 

Balloon Inflation: The catheter employed during surgery has a small balloon on its tip. The balloon is inserted into the obstructed artery, after which the balloon is inflated, which forces the plaque against the artery walls and opens up the artery to allow blood flow again. 

Stent Placement: A small metal mesh tube known as a stent can be positioned over the balloon to keep the artery open. The balloon is then deflated and withdrawn, and the stent remains. 

Completion: The catheter is withdrawn with utmost care, and the procedure is over. The patient is monitored with great care before being transferred to recovery.

Although the primary angioplasty in Bangalore is a minimally invasive procedure, patients are thoroughly monitored for a few hours or overnight after the surgery to ensure no complications arise. If the procedure is done through the groin, then patients need to remain in bed for a few hours to reduce the risk of bleeding at the insertion site, while for patients who have undergone surgery through the wrist, the recovery time is generally shorter. During this phase, the healthcare team will closely monitor the patient's vital signs, such as blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, etc. 

Patients can expect to recover from the surgery in a few days after the surgery and can do light activities but are advised to avoid heavy activities like lifting for a few weeks. In the medication prescription, blood thinners and antiplatelet drugs are given to reduce the risk of re-clotting of the blood, eventually reducing the risk of reducing the risk of another heart attack.

Being a minimally invasive surgery, Primary angioplasty in Bangalore is generally considered safe, but just like any other surgery, primary angioplasty also has its own risks and potential complications that a patient needs to be aware of. These potential complications are: 

• Bleeding: As the procedure includes the insertion of a catheter into the artery, there are equal or more chances of a risk of bleeding at the site of insertion or internally.
• Blood Clots: Although angioplasty is done to remove blood clots, in some cases, there can be adverse effects, which lead to blood clots forming. These blood clots can travel to other parts of the body, like the brain, heart, or lungs.
• Artery Damage: In some rare cases, the artery can get damaged during the insertion of the catheter, which further increases the complications.
• Restenosis: It is the re-narrowing of the artery after angioplasty. This can happen if there is a build-up of scar tissue that leads to stent blockage. However, restenosis cases have been reduced by the use of drug-eluting stents.
• Infection: Like any other angioplasty surgery, primary angioplasty can also cause infection at the site of catheterisation.

Gleneagles Hospital in Bangalore is a top hospital in cardiology and in managing emergency cases of heart attack with the finest care and a unique approach to treating their patients. Below are the reasons why the hospital is the most trusted choice of many in Bangalore and India: 

• Gleneagles Hospital is India’s number one emergency hospital with 24/7 facilities, ensuring no patient is denied the best care in their time of need.
• The hospital is equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure and modern tools and facilities to ensure the comfort of the patient with a successful track record.
• Experienced cardiologists work along with doctors and surgeons of different fields to develop new and effective procedures for heart attacks.
• A high track record of successful Primary Angioplasty in Bangalore shows the expertise of our doctors.