Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)

Coronary Artery Disease & Symptoms:

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a discomfort, heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, fullness, squeezing, or painful feeling in your chest. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina may also be felt in the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw, or back. Some other symptoms of coronary artery disease include:

• Shortness of breath
• Palpitations (Irregular Heartbeats)
• A faster heartbeat
• Weakness or dizziness
• Nausea
• Sweating

Risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease:

• Smoking
• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Family history
• Peripheral artery disease

Diagnosis & Tests:

Investigations like EEG, Chest X- Ray, Stress test, Tilt Table test, Echocardiogram, Electrophysiology, Angiography, CT Heart Scan, Myocardial Biopsy, Heart MRI may be suggested by the doctor.

What is Angiography?

An angiography helps diagnose conditions that affect blood vessels and flow of blood through them. The image on an angiogram is used to plan surgeries involving the blood vessels, such as Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) or Open Heart Surgery & coronary angioplasty (PTCA), which are performed to treat coronary heart disease.

Treatment for Coronary Heart Disease:

PTCA is a treatment of coronary artery disease. In angioplasty a balloon-tipped catheter is inserted through the skin into a blood vessel and to the clogged portion of the artery. There it is threaded into the blockage and inflated, compressing the plaque (build up of fat and cholesterol) against the arterial walls. Frequent postoperative reclogging (narrowing of blood vessel) of the treated area has led to the use of stent (sometimes coated with a drug that inhibits narrowing of a blood vessel) designed to hold the plaque back.

What to be followed after the Procedure:

1. Proper follow up with the cardiologist, doses need to be regulated according to the degree of improvement.
2. Follow up investigation like Echo is very important for examining the pumping of Heart.
3. Avoid smoking and alcohol completely, reduction would not help.
4. Avoid excess of sugary, salty and oily food and Do not involve in high impact and severe exercises.