Coronary Angioplasty and Stenting (PCI)
Minimally invasive coronary angioplasty and stent placement to restore heart blood flow — treating blocked arteries and reducing heart attack risk.
What is It?
Coronary Angioplasty, also known as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI), is a minimally invasive procedure used to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries — the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart muscle. It is commonly performed by inflating a small balloon inside the narrowed artery and, in most cases, placing a tiny metal mesh tube called a stent to keep the artery open permanently.
At One Heart Centre, our interventional cardiologists have expert training in performing coronary angioplasty and stenting using the latest techniques and technology, restoring blood flow to the heart and significantly reducing the risk of heart attack.
Why is It Performed?
At One Heart Centre, our cardiologists may recommend Coronary Angioplasty to:
- Treat significant coronary artery blockages identified on angiography
- Relieve chest pain (angina) and breathlessness caused by reduced blood flow
- Improve blood supply to the heart muscle
- Reduce the risk of heart attack
- Treat an acute heart attack as an emergency procedure (primary PCI)
- Improve quality of life and exercise capacity
Angioplasty is often recommended immediately after a coronary angiogram has identified a significant narrowing requiring treatment.
What Does the Test Involve?
The procedure is performed in a specialised hospital catheterisation laboratory. You will be awake but given medication to help you relax. Local anaesthetic is applied to the wrist or groin, where a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery and guided to the heart under X-ray imaging.
A small balloon is carefully inflated at the site of the blockage to open the artery. A stent is then usually placed to keep the artery open long-term. Contrast dye is used during the procedure to provide precise real-time imaging of the arteries.
The procedure typically takes 45–90 minutes. Afterwards, you will rest in hospital while the access site and heart rhythm are closely monitored. Most patients stay in hospital overnight and return home the following day.
What are the Benefits?
- Rapid restoration of blood flow to the heart muscle
- Effective relief of chest pain, breathlessness and other symptoms
- Significant reduction in heart attack risk
- Minimally invasive with a short recovery period
- Improved exercise tolerance and overall quality of life