A balloon angioplasty is done to open a narrowed or blocked artery.

A catheter with a balloon at the end is placed in the artery. When the balloon is inflated, it pushes the plaque against the walls of the blood vessel to allow more room for blood to flow.

A small flexible, metal mesh device called a stent may be used with a balloon angioplasty. It is placed in the artery after the balloon is inflated to help keep the artery open.

Before your procedure

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

Take your morning pills with sips of water only, unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

If you are diabetic, and take Insulin, check with your doctor about your insulin dose for the morning of your procedure.

Your doctor's office will confirm your procedure date and time. If you are scheduled at Riverside Hospital, report to Ambulatory Surgery at your instructed time. If you are scheduled at Grant, report to the Admission area .

An Electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood work will be done if they have not been performed at your doctor's office.

An intravenous catheter (IV) will be started for fluids and medication.

You will need to wear a hospital gown and remove all clothing, including underwear.

You may wear dentures and glasses.

Please use the restroom just prior to the procedure.

Your family may stay with you until it is time for the procedure. 

During your procedure

Your family will wait in the 3rd floor waiting room during the procedure.

You will be helped onto a narrow table in the cardiac cath lab.

You will get medication (sedative) to help you relax.

You will have the following equipment:

A heart monitor with small patches (electrodes) on your chest so the staff can watch your heart rhythm.

A small clip on your finger to measure your oxygen level.

A blood pressure cuff on your arm which will automatically inflate and deflate during the test. 

About the procedure

Your groin area will be draped for privacy and cleansed with an antiseptic solution; you will then be covered with a sterile drape.

Your doctor will place a small hollow tube (sheath) into your artery. Small flexible tubes (catheters) will be inserted through the sheath and guided into the artery. The balloon is then inflated to open the artery and a stent may be placed. 

After your procedure

Your doctor will tell you and your family the results of your procedure.

Most equipment will be removed shortly after the test is done. You may have a sheath in your groin for several hours after the test.

Your IV will stay in until your doctor requests that it be removed. You may receive special "blood-thinning" medications through your IV during and after the procedure.

After the procedure, you will go to the Recovery Room (Riverside) or ICPCU (Grant) for close observation, then you will be moved to a patient room.

You will be on bedrest for at least 2 to 6 hours after the angioplasty.

During that time, keep your leg straight and still. This will help prevent bleeding and bruising.

When you are permitted to move your leg and get up, the staff will help you get out of bed and walk for the first time.

You will stay in the hospital overnight. You can usually go home the day after the procedure, unless your doctor directs otherwise.

You may resume your regular diet unless the doctor makes any new recommendations.

It is important to drink plenty of fluids to flush the dye from your system. 

Discharge information

Limit activities for the first 48 hours after the procedure.

Limit or avoid stair climbing. Do not lift more than 10 pounds for 48 hours after the procedure.

A bruise or small lump under the skin at the insertion site is common. This usually disappears within a few weeks.

If you have any bleeding at the catheter site, apply pressure with your hand and notify your doctor.

If you are on Coumadin, watch for signs of bleeding, get your blood work drawn as ordered and follow up with your family doctor.

You should schedule a follow up appointment with your doctor as directed.