The Risks of Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty
The Risks Of Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty
Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty or PCA, is a procedure done to help blood flow toward the heart. This is usually done to people who have heart problems that are due to blockages like coronary heart disease. In coronary heart disease, people who have not been taking care of themselves before are likely to develop plaques from cholesterol and other substances found in the blood.
When these plaques harden, the blood vessels are narrowed and blood flow is then reduced causing the heart to function atypically. When this condition is not treated early, the vessel which has plaque buildup may totally be blocked therefor making blood flow towards the heart restricted.
Procedures such as this are done to help widen the blood vessels to make blood flow easier. Devices such as balloons are used to extend the blood vessels' circumference. This procedure uses catheters wherein the balloons are attached at the tip and inserted in the affected vessel. Once the balloon is in its proper place, it will then be inflated to expand the blood vessel.
Other procedures use lasers and blades to cut off the plaques off the vessel walls. But according to studies, using balloons for this procedure is far more safer than using blades and such because the tendency of puncturing the veins unintentionally is unlikely to happen.
Just like every other procedures, doing a PCA is said to be very risky. Researchers say that there are times when doctors do not recommend this method because of its difficulty. They sometimes have a hard time putting the balloon where it is supposed to be. A noted complication of having this procedure done is when the affected vessel suddenly closes just minutes or an hour after the procedure. When this happens, blood clots are likely to develop, but the ratio of people having this problem is said to be 1 out of 4 patients.
After a long time of having the procedure done, complications may still occur. Studies say
Percutaneous Coronary Angioplasty or PCA, is a procedure done to help blood flow toward the heart. This is usually done to people who have heart problems that are due to blockages like coronary heart disease. In coronary heart disease, people who have not been taking care of themselves before are likely to develop plaques from cholesterol and other substances found in the blood.
When these plaques harden, the blood vessels are narrowed and blood flow is then reduced causing the heart to function atypically. When this condition is not treated early, the vessel which has plaque buildup may totally be blocked therefor making blood flow towards the heart restricted.
Procedures such as this are done to help widen the blood vessels to make blood flow easier. Devices such as balloons are used to extend the blood vessels' circumference. This procedure uses catheters wherein the balloons are attached at the tip and inserted in the affected vessel. Once the balloon is in its proper place, it will then be inflated to expand the blood vessel.
Other procedures use lasers and blades to cut off the plaques off the vessel walls. But according to studies, using balloons for this procedure is far more safer than using blades and such because the tendency of puncturing the veins unintentionally is unlikely to happen.
Just like every other procedures, doing a PCA is said to be very risky. Researchers say that there are times when doctors do not recommend this method because of its difficulty. They sometimes have a hard time putting the balloon where it is supposed to be. A noted complication of having this procedure done is when the affected vessel suddenly closes just minutes or an hour after the procedure. When this happens, blood clots are likely to develop, but the ratio of people having this problem is said to be 1 out of 4 patients.
After a long time of having the procedure done, complications may still occur. Studies say