Balloon angioplasty (open artery)
Description
A surgical procedure to open clogged or blocked arteries usually involving the heart but can be used in other arteries. A catheter is positioned in the narrowed artery, with a tiny balloon at its tip. The balloon is then inflated and deflated sequentially to stretch or break open the narrowing and improve the opening and passage for blood flow. Many times a stent (small tube) will be placed in the artery afterward to keep it from closing.
Cost
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Common Complications
The vessel can be torn (dissection) or damaged causing bleeding or loss of the vessel. At times the damage requires an emergent bypass of the artery. Infection and pain at the insertion site. Dilation of the vessel can cause a psuedo-aneurysm. The surgery can result in post-operative pain, infection or blood clots of the legs (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolus). Patients can infrequently have bad reactions to the general anesthesia including allergic reactions and very rarely a heart attack or stroke.
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