Angioplasties are very safe in this day and age with modern medicine and technological advancements.
The minor complications of an angioplasty may include:
- Bleeding under the skin at the wound site – this should improve after a few days
- Bruising – it is common to have a bruise from the catheter for a few weeks
- Allergy to the contrast dye used, causing symptoms such as a rash – you should discuss any allergies that you have with your cardiologist before having the procedure
More serious complications are uncommon, but may include:
- Damage to the artery in the arm or groin from the catheter, possibly affecting blood supply to the limb
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Damage to the kidneys caused by the contrast dye
- Serious bleeding
You are more likely to develop complications based on:
- Your age – the older you are, the higher your risk
- If the procedure was planned or is emergency treatment – emergency treatment is always riskier because there is less time to plan it and the patient is unwell to start with
- If you have kidney disease – the dye used during an angioplasty can occasionally cause further damage to your kidneys
- If you have one or more blocked coronary arteries
- If you have a history of serious heart disease
