Angioplasty is a non-surgical procedure employed to treat heart disease. It is used to open up blocked coronary arteries. Angioplasty is performed in a cardiac catheterization laboratory by a team of specialists composed of a head cardiologist, cardiovascular nurses and technicians.

Angioplasty is a step by step process. First of all, the patient is given local anesthesia. Next, a thin plastic tube or sheath is inserted into the artery. Usually the plastic tube is inserted in the groin region through the femoral artery. Sometimes the artery in the arm is also used. The catheter is then passes through the sheath and guided through the blood vessel to the arteries of the heart. A contrast material or dye is passed through the catheter and its circulation in the chambers of the heart is monitored. By analyzing the digital pictures of the contrast material, the precise location of the block or malfunctioning of the valves can be found out.


Once the block is detected one of the following interventional techniques are used to remove the block:

Balloon angioplasty: In balloon angioplasty, a special catheter is used. The catheter has a balloon tip which is inflatable. The catheter is guided to the region of the block and once it is in place, the balloon in inflated. The inflating balloon compresses the fatty deposits into the wall of the artery and stretches the lumen of the blood vessels so that the flow of blood to the heart muscle becomes free.
Stent: A stent is a small cylindrical tube made of mesh which is used to provide support to the coronary artery. The stent is placed in the coronary artery—which has become narrow due to cholesterol deposits, using a balloon catheter. Once in place the balloon tip is inflated which causes the stent to expand and fit into the coronary artery. The stent holds the coronary artery open. The balloon tip is then deflated and removed while the stent stays. Over the next few weeks, the artery wall heals around the stent. Stents are commonly used during interventional procedures such angioplasty as these procedures require that the coronary artery be open. Stents that contain medicine are also available. The medicine on the stent prevents restenosis.
Rotoblation: In rotoblation a special catheter is used which has a rotating diamond tip. The catheter is guided to the place of artery blockage and the diamond tip is then activated. The diamond tip cuts away the plaque into microscopic granules. These granules are carried by away the blood stream and removed by the liver and spleen. Rotoblation is repeated as and when needed to allow better flow of blood through the coronary artery. Rotoblation is not being used nowadays. Balloon angioplasty and stent give much better results that rotoblation. Also rotoblation is difficult to perform when compared with balloon angioplasty and stent.
Atherectomy: A special catheter is used in atherectomy. The tip is the catheter is made of a hollow cylinder and an inflatable on the other side. The cylinder has a window and cutting blades inside it. When the balloon is inflated, the cylinder is pushed into the fatty matter. The fatty deposits enter into the window and are shaved off by the blades inside the cylinder. The shaved off deposits are stored inside the cylinder and are removed. This procedure is performed as and when required until the lumen of the coronary artery opens wide open, allowing sufficient blood to flow to the heart muscle.
Cutting balloon: The cutting balloon catheter has a inflatable balloon and small cutting blades at its tip. When the balloon is inflated, the blades are activated. The blades chop of the plaque and at the same time the scored off plaque is compressed into the wall of the artery.
These interventional procedures can open a blocked artery but they cannot cure coronary artery disease. Coronary artery disease can only be treated through lifestyle changes. Smoking should be avoided at any cost. Consumption of junk foods should be avoided. Regular exercise and avoiding stress are advised.