What should one expect during an angioplasty in Singapore?

Doctor's Answers 1

here are the main 4 steps during the angioplasty procedure:

angioplasty procedure and cost in Singapore

1. Preparation

cardiologist preparing for angioplasty

A coronary angiogram usually takes about 30 minutes. You'll be lying under an X-ray camera in a cath lab while your cardiologist monitors the procedure on a television screen.

You'll then receive a local anaesthetic injection into either your arm or groin (depending on where the catheter will be inserted).

2. The catheter is inserted into in the narrowed part of your heart artery

When this area is numb, a narrow tube (sheath) is inserted into the artery.

A thin, flexible plastic tube called a catheter will be threaded through the sheath. The catheter is guided through the artery until it reaches the point of blockage.

3. The balloon is inflated and the stent expands, pushing the plaque back against the artery wall

4. The balloon is then deflated and removed, leaving the stent propping open the artery

The sheath in your arm or groin will be taken out at the end of the procedure. Pressure will then be applied to the insertion site for up to 20 minutes to stop any bleeding.

Similar Questions

When is an angioplasty or angiogram performed in Singapore?

A coronary angiogram is performed whenever a patient has symptoms such as breathlessness or chest pain on exertion (not always) which usually indicate poor blood flow in the heart blood vessel due to blockages. This could a non-invasive angiogram (ie CT coronary angiogram) or an invasive coronary angiogram (gold standard test). The modality depends on the risk and if the risk is higher an Invasive coronary angiogram maybe warranted.

Photo of Dr Nandakumar Ramasami

Answered By

Dr Nandakumar Ramasami

Cardiologist

How can I best prepare for an angioplasty to get the optimal outcomes?

I would suggest that you keep yourself well informed of the procedure, what it entails on the day, what are the various outcomes and what maybe the adjunct procedures you may need and how long your recovery could take based on the results of the angiography and any treatment on the day. Of course, it would be good if your next of kin is also aware of this information. On the day of the procedure ensure you are well rested and ask your doctor for anxiety-relieving medication the night before if necessary to ensure a good nights sleep.

Photo of Dr Nandakumar Ramasami

Answered By

Dr Nandakumar Ramasami

Cardiologist

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