Thread: angioplasty
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Old 05-17-2004, 07:53 PM  
BlackCrayon
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Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Ottawa
Posts: 19,631
Quote:
Originally posted by The Other Steve
An angioplasty is a procedure performed on someone they think has a blocked or close to blocked artery close to the heart

They open an artery in your groin and inject a dye and then watch on a monitor as the dye circulates.

If they have to fit a stent they then insert that through the groin and push it into place and open it up. That opens up the blocked artery and allows the blood flow to resume.

It's not a complete cure but it can add years to your life.

Fortunately I didn't need one.
yep, kinda. an angiogram is where they inject the dye to locate the blockage if any. the angioplasty is where they go in with a catheter and use a ballon to widen the blocked atery and sometimes instert a stent, they suggested my dad get a stent put in. often times when a stent isn't used the ateries just close back up again. angioplasty is nothing compared to bypass surgery, thats for sure. good to hear your brother hasn't had any problems sumphat. there is something like a 92% success rate with angioplasty, tho there is still apparently a 10% chance of a mild heart attack or damage to the heart during the procedure which is worrysome.
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