Treatment of Narrowing of Arteries
Plaques that cause narrowing of the coronary arteries are usually found in a limited area of the artery. Beyond the narrowed part, the vessel diameter is normal. If the problem is limited to one or two vessels, the current stenosis can be opened by a non-surgical procedure. This process is called balloon angioplasty (PTCA). This procedure is performed by cardiologists with angiographic x-ray devices. When the balloon is not enough, drug-eluting stents are placed and blood flow is re-optimized.
If coronary artery disease involves many vessels and complicated, coronary artery bypass surgery is required. With this operation, veins that are narrowed or not working at all are replaced with veins taken from the legs or elsewhere. The heart muscles that are waiting for fresh blood and oxygen are so breathtaking. By-pass operations are performed by Cardiovascular surgeons.
