Angioplasty (PTCA)

1. What is Angioplasty (PTCA)?
Angioplasty is a procedure to open a narrowed or blocked artery supplying blood to the heart. A thin catheter is guided through a blood vessel, usually from the wrist or groin, to reach the blockage.

2. When is it Recommended?
It may be recommended when coronary arteries become significantly narrowed or blocked, commonly due to coronary artery disease caused by fatty deposits (plaque). It may also be performed urgently during certain heart attacks.

3. What Symptoms May a Patient Notice?
Symptoms may include chest pain or pressure, breathlessness, unusual tiredness, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, neck or jaw. Some patients may have no noticeable symptoms.

4. What Does the Treatment Involve?
A small balloon is guided through the catheter to the blockage and inflated to widen the artery. A stent may then be placed to help keep the artery open and maintain blood flow.

5. What Are the Main Treatment Options?
PTCA may involve balloon angioplasty and stent placement, most commonly using drug-eluting stents. Depending on the number and location of blockages, coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) may be considered instead.

6. How Long Does Treatment & Recovery Take?
An uncomplicated PTCA may require one day or a short hospital stay, with many patients returning to light activities within a few days. Complex or emergency procedures may require longer hospitalisation.

7. What Are the Important Risks or Considerations?
PTCA is an established procedure with high procedural success rates, generally above 95% in many PCI populations. Possible complications include bleeding, blood-vessel injury, abnormal heart rhythm, blood clots, heart attack or stroke.

8. Why Consider Treatment in India?
India performs more than 600,000 PCI procedures annually, according to published estimates, giving international patients access to experienced interventional cardiologists and specialised cardiac centres.

9. How Can Medavelle Help?
Medavelle can assist with medical report review, cardiologist and hospital coordination, treatment planning, international patient arrangements and follow-up coordination.

10. What Should the Patient Do Next?
Share your cardiac reports → Cardiologist evaluation → Coronary assessment → Treatment recommendation → Treatment planning in India.