Procedures

Angioplasty, Stent Placement and Atherectomy

Invasive techniques that improve blood supply to the heart may be used to treat coronary artery disease. One of these is percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, also known as PTCA, angioplasty, balloon dilation or balloon angioplasty.

Blocked Artery

Artery after PTCA

Angioplasty uses a balloon device to compress the plaque against the artery wall. This procedure is also known as PTCA (percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty). In more than 70% of procedures performed at Hoag Heart and Vascular Institute, another device is also used in conjunction with the balloon. These are tiny metal structures called stents. Stents are mounted on an angioplasty balloon and positioned at the site of the blockage. When the balloon is inflated, the stent expands and is pressed into the inner wall of the artery. The balloon is deflated and removed with the stent remaining in place, serving as permanent scaffolding for the newly widened artery.

Balloon

Stent

Some devices actually remove the plaque itself in a process knows as atherectomy. There are many types of devices but all of them have a shaver or grinding component that removes the plaque from the diseased area. Many times a balloon angioplasty is performed at the same time.

Atherectomy

• Find a Hoag Physician who performs angioplasty or stent placement
• How to prepare for Angioplasty or Stent Placement at Hoag Hospital
• Frequently Asked Questions about Coronary Artery Disease

Registration

• Arrange insurance authorization. Pre-register by calling the Admitting Department at Hoag Hospital 1 to 2 days prior to your procedure date. The phone number is 949/764-8275.

• Obtain blood work as ordered by your physician before your procedure.
• Do not eat or drink after midnight the night before your procedure.
• Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, take routine medications with small sips of water. Do not take Glucophage or Coumadin. Bring a list of the medications you are currently taking.
• Please leave all jewelry and other valuables at home unless a family member is present to receive them in the event of surgery. Bring your eyeglasses.

• Prior to your procedure, your physician may prescribe the following:
• Plavix 75 mg tablets to be taken once daily, starting 2 days prior to your procedure.
• One uncoated aspirin (325mg) daily starting 2 days before the procedure. It is okay to take aspirin and Plavix concurrently.

• The Admitting Department opens at 6 a.m.
• Please check in at the Admitting Department 3 hours prior to the scheduled time of your procedure. However, if your procedure is schedules at 7 a.m., your physician will instruct you on alternate arrangements.
• Once admitted to the Same Day Services Unit, you will be prepared for the procedure. This will include paperwork, consents and an intravenous line (IV).
• Your family is welcome to accompany you as far as the waiting room near the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
• If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask your physician or the nursing staff.
• Your family is welcome to accompany you as far as the waiting room near the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory.
• If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask your physician or the nursing staff.