What is the Catheterization, angioplasty and stents

Cardiac Catheterism is an exam performed in Hemodynamics Centers, using minimally invasive techniques and medical equipment capable of generating accurate images of the heart structure. Catheterization is essential to identify the presence, location and size of obstructions in the coronary arteries. Coronary Angioplasty is the procedure by which blood flow is restored in the coronary arteries and can be performed using a balloon catheter or by placing stents.

Description of the procedure

The doctor will order a series of tests to determine if there is evidence of coronary ischemia. If the answer is positive, the patient will undergo a Cardiac Catheterization.

A small puncture will be made in the wrist, forearm or in the artery of the groin through which a thin catheter will be introduced to the heart. Through this exam it is possible to verify the existence of ischemia, assess its size and the degree of obstruction that its presence causes. In the same procedure, the heart muscle, valves and aorta are evaluated, in addition to performing angiographies, when necessary.

Mild obstructions are treated with medication and dietary changes to lower cholesterol. Obstructions that compromise 70% of the blood flow at a certain point or points in the coronary arteries are considered important and those that block more than 80% of the blood flow are considered serious.

The patient will then undergo Coronary Angioplasty, where the interventional cardiologist will use the same technique as for cardiac catheterization, but may use a small balloon to dilate an obstructed artery or provide a small prosthesis to expand the walls of the coronary artery. This prosthesis is called a stent, which can be metallic or polymer (bioabsorbable stent), involved or not in drugs (drug-eluting stent).

Angioplasty is an established and widely used procedure to save patients who are victims of Acute Myocardial Infarction. In addition, it is an option for revascularization surgeries in which the size of the incisions vary between 15 and 30 centimeters and post-operative care that requires special care.

It does not require great care, the risk of infection is low and the patients recover faster.
The duration of a catheterization, angioplasty and stent surgery is normally 30 to 60 minutes. Patients are discharged after 0 – 1 days.
Regarding work activity, after XX days the patient will be able to return to work. Normally, full mobility recovery is at the end of XX and moderate physical activity at XX.
It does not require great care, the risk of infection is low and the patients recover faster.
The duration of a catheterization, angioplasty and stent surgery is normally 30 to 60 minutes. Patients are discharged after 0 – 1 days.
Regarding work activity, after XX days the patient will be able to return to work. Normally, full mobility recovery is at the end of XX and moderate physical activity at XX.
Time
› 30-60 min
Anesthesia
› Local
Internment
› 0-1 days
Sick leave
› 3 days
Recovery
› 3 days
Inhibition of physical activity
1 week

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