Angioplasty

Our experience from performing more than 1,500 angioplasties a year means you can count on us for high-quality services. Our attention to your needs through all phases of care helps you get back to your busy life. Most patients go home the next day and complications are rare.

Why Choose St. Peter’s Health Partners for Angioplasty Treatment?

St. Peter’s Health Partners is home to experienced interventional cardiologists who completed additional training, some through fellowships. And our experience from performing a high volume of angioplasty procedures helps more patients achieve outstanding results.

Highlights of Our Program Include:

• National Recognition: Our commitment to excellence has helped us achieve prestigious recognition from U.S. News & World Report. We have maintained “high performing” ratings in multiple categories, including heart bypass surgery, heart failure, and transaortic valve replacement (TAVR).
• Options for High-Risk Patients: Impella®-assisted angioplasty is a safe alternative for people whose hearts are too sick for surgery. The Impella device temporarily takes over the heart’s pumping function to maintain blood flow during angioplasty and stenting. At the end of the procedure, we remove the device.
• Hybrid Approach: We often perform angioplasty in our hybrid operating room, which supports a seamless transition to surgery when necessary. This approach is for patients who need multiple treatments like angioplasty and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). You can have both procedures done at the same time, which is safer and more efficient.
• Coordination: Patients recovering from a heart attack or complex hybrid procedure stay in our cardiac critical care unit. Here, specially trained cardiac nurses provide around-the-clock monitoring and heart experts check on you daily. Our team is in regular communication to keep your recovery moving forward.

What is Angioplasty?

Angioplasty is a treatment for coronary artery disease, which causes narrowing or blockages in the heart’s blood vessels. This procedure, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), uses long thin tubes called catheters to restore blood flow. A doctor specializing in nonsurgical heart treatments (interventional cardiologist) performs coronary angioplasty.

Angioplasty can lower your heart attack risk. It also offers a lifeline to people experiencing a heart attack. Angioplasty treatment may include:

• Balloon Angioplasty: A balloon at the catheter tip inflates to push away fat deposits (plaque) on blood vessel walls that disrupt blood flow.
• Stent Placement: Doctors place a hollow mesh device (stent) into an artery after angioplasty to keep it open.

Is Angioplasty Right for Me?

You may benefit from percutaneous coronary intervention if you have:

• Mild chest pain that does not respond to standard treatments
• Severe chest pain, shortness of breath, and other heart attack symptoms
• Narrowing or partial blockages in one or two coronary arteries

Coronary Angioplasty: What to Expect

If angioplasty is right for you, here’s how it works:

• You will be awake for the procedure. Special medication helps you relax.
• We make a small incision in your groin, insert a catheter, and gently advance it until we reach the heart. A special dye we inject through the catheter pinpoints narrow areas and blockages.
• We perform balloon angioplasty to clear the blockage and place a stent, if necessary, to help it stay open.
• Real-time imaging provides high-definition views of the treatment area for precise care.
• When the procedure is complete, we remove the catheter. A bandage may be all that’s necessary to protect the incision while it heals.

Rehabilitation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

After angioplasty, our nationally recognized cardiopulmonary rehabilitation programs help you safely transition back to everyday life. We offer:

Outpatient Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation for patients who are well enough to return home but need assistance regaining their strength. We also give you tips and personalized healthy living recommendations to lower your risk of future heart issues. Learn more about our Outpatient Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation.

Inpatient Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation for patients who no longer need critical care but are not well enough to go home. Doctors, nurses and rehabilitation specialists provide personalized around-the-clock services at Sunnyview Rehabilitation Hospital.