Angioplasty Health Article

Complications

During the procedure there is a danger of puncturing the vessel with the guidewire. This is a very small risk. Patients must be monitored for hematoma or hemorrhage at the puncture site. There is also a small risk of heart attack, emboli, and, although unlikely, death. Hospitalization varies in length with the patient's overall condition, any complications, and the availability of home care.

Health care team roles

Physicians often have specially trained assistants for vascular procedures. These assistants may be nurses, surgical techs, or radiographers. In cardiac catheterization labs, the team also includes a member specially trained in monitoring EKG equipment and vital signs. Angioplasty is a fluoroscopy-guided procedure so a radiographer trained in vascular imaging is also required. Either a nurse, nurse anesthetist, or anesthesiologist will administer sedation or anesthesia for the procedure.

KEY TERMS

Cardiac catheterization—A procedure to pass a catheter to the heart and its vessels for the purpose of diagnosing coronary artery disease, assessing injury or disease of the aorta, or evaluating cardiac function.

Contrast medium—A substance injected into the body to facilitate the radiographic imaging of internal structures.

EKG—Electrocardiogram, used to study and record the electrical activity of the heart.

Embolus—A gas or air bubble, bit of tissue, blood clot, or foreign object that circulates in the bloodstream until it lodges in a vessel.

Fluoroscopy—A radiologic technique that creates x-ray images of internal body structures for imme diate projection on a fluorescent screen.

Hematoma—A collection of blood trapped in the tissues of the skin or in an organ.

Occlusion—A blockage in a vessel.

Plaque—In atherosclerosis, a swollen area in the lining of an artery formed by fatty deposits.

Stenosis—Narrowing or constriction of an opening or passageway.

BOOKS

Larson, Jeffrey P. "Angioplasty." Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Detroit: Gale Research, 1999.

Schneider, Peter A. Endovascular Skills: Guidewires, Catheters, Arteriography, Balloon Angioplasty, Stents. St. Louis, MO: Quality Medical Publishing, Inc., 1998.

Wojtowycz, Myron. Handbook of Interventional Radiology and Angiography. 2nd ed. Chicago, IL: Mosby-Year Book, 1995.

PERIODICALS

"The 'Angioplastically Correct' Follow Up Strategy After Stent Implantation." Heart 85 (April, 2001): 363.

Carnall, Douglas. "Angioplasty." The Western Journal of Medicine 173 (September 2000): 201.

"New Imaging Technique Could Improve Outcome of Popular Heart Procedure." Heart Disease Weekly (May 13,2001):3.

"Success Clearing Clogged Arteries." Science News 159 (February 3, 2001): 72.

OTHER

"Cardiovascular System." Miami Heart Research Institute. 2001. <http://www.miamiheartresearch.org/LearningCenter/YourCardiovascular.../Cardiovascular.htm> (July 5, 2001).

"Coronary Angioplasty: Opening Clogged Arteries." MayoClinic.com, Condition Centers, Treatments and Tests. 2000. <http://www.mayoclinic.com> (July 5,2001).

"Heart & Stroke Guide: Laser Angioplasty." American Heart Association online. 2000. <http://www.americanheart.org/Heart_and_Stroke_A_Z_Guide/angiol.html> (July 5, 2001).

"STS Patient Information: What to Expect After Your Heart Surgery." Society of Thoracic Surgeons online. 2000. <http://www.sts.org/doc/3563> (July 5, 2001).

"When You Need to Have Angioplasty: A Patient Guide." Heart Information Network. 2000. <http://www.heartinfo.org/news97/gdangio111897.htm> (July 5, 2001).

Elaine R. Proseus, MBA/TM, BSRT, RT(R)