With aging, lifestyle or genetics, many people develop coronary artery disease (CAD). This problem is common, but that doesn’t mean it’s insignificant. CAD causes blockages and narrowing of the arteries that carry blood to the heart muscle.
As a result, CAD can put you at risk for a heart attack. Getting appropriate care as early as possible can reduce that risk. To help prevent a potential heart attack, cardiologists at Missouri Baptist Medical Center (MoBap) perform minimally invasive coronary angioplasty and stenting.
Because cardiologists at MoBap know your heart can’t wait, we’re dedicated to identifying and preventing potential heart attacks before they happen. We offer assessments and second opinions at our offices across the St. Louis region.
Watch this video to learn more about what happens during a stent procedure.
Schedule an appointment with a MoBap cardiologist by calling (314) 860-7076 or fill out a contact form so we can learn more about your condition.
Coronary angioplasty is a minimally invasive way to clear blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. These vital blood vessels carry blood and oxygen to your heart muscle. The procedure is also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).
The Heart Center at MoBap has a team of the top cardiologists in St. Louis and offers a comprehensive cardiac program, treating a range of heart conditions. Our heart team will carefully assess your health and risks before recommending a procedure tailored to your individual needs. MoBap is a designated Level 1 STEMI Center by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. This designation means we have the specialized resources to treat the most complex heart attacks.
At MoBap, we have performed thousands of PCIs or PTCAs in our cardiac catheterization lab. Our doctors use various techniques to clear blockages, open narrowed blood vessels and hold the arteries open to keep blood flowing to your heart.
A PCI procedure clears blockages that reduce blood flow to heart muscle (myocardium). Most of these blockages result from plaque buildup, a condition known as atherosclerosis.
PCI or PTCA treats conditions resulting from atherosclerosis, including:
PTCA is a safe and reliable treatment for most people with CAD who have significant blockages or narrowing (stenosis) of the coronary arteries. If the blockage is in your left main coronary artery, your doctor might recommend a different treatment.
Getting care right away after a heart attack can minimize heart damage and help you recover faster. Equipped with specialized resources to treat complex heart attacks, our doctors perform angioplasty immediately if you have a type of heart attack called an ST-elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI). (ST refers to changes in a specific heart rhythm.) A less severe heart attack, a non-ST-elevated myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) is a medical emergency, but you may be able to wait up to 48 hours for PCI.
With access to a range of techniques, our doctors can treat patients with blocked or narrowed coronary arteries without surgery. These techniques include:
Our doctors often use a drug-coated balloon or drug-coated stent. These devices contain medications to help prevent clots.
An interventional cardiologist (doctor specializing in catheter-based procedures) performs a PCI or PTCA procedure in our cath lab. The cath lab has several large screens that show views of your heart and blood vessels.
You will have local anesthesia, and you may have a sedative to help you stay calm and still. The procedure generally takes from 30 minutes to three hours, depending on the type and location of blockages.
During the procedure, our doctors:
At MoBap, our team of heart specialists will support you from treatment recommendation to recovery ensuring you understand your diagnosis.
PCI or PTCA is a potentially lifesaving procedure to treat or prevent a heart attack. In minutes, it can clear blockages in the arteries and restore blood flow to heart muscle. At MoBap, our team of heart specialists works together to provide individualized care for your heart’s needs.
This alternative to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) is available to many people. Because there’s no incision, you typically go home sooner and have a much faster recovery than after an open-chest procedure. In about 90% of patients, PCI successfully widens the coronary arteries. The procedure can significantly improve blood flow to help you feel better and get back to enjoying your life.
Before a cardiac cath procedure, our doctors may recommend diagnostic tests to check your heart’s function and help your heart team prepare for the procedure. Your cardiologist may order:
After a coronary angioplasty and stenting, you recover for several hours. Most people stay in the hospital overnight. You’ll be able to walk around a few hours after the procedure.
Your doctor will give you clear instructions on what you can do during your recovery and what needs to wait. You may be able to return to work and driving within a few days to a week.
Your doctor may recommend cardiac rehabilitation to help you rebuild strength after a heart attack or PTCA. If so, our skilled team of nurses and exercise physiologists will work with you to complete cardiac rehab and get you back to your active life.
If you have PCI with stenting, your doctor will prescribe medications to reduce the risk of blood clots. Your care team will explain how to take this medication. Our nurses and dietitians can help you craft a healthy lifestyle after PTCA that will give you the best chance of maintaining your results.
When you have coronary angioplasty or receive a stent, you’ll receive care from interventional cardiologists (heart doctors who perform minimally invasive treatments). You may also receive care from noninterventional cardiologists and electrophysiologists (doctors specializing in the heart’s rhythm).
To schedule an appointment with a MoBap heart specialist, call (314) 860-7076 or fill out a contact form.
Meet our team of cardiologists.
To schedule an appointment, call (314) 860-7076 or fill out the form below and we will call you back to learn more about your condition and discuss next steps.
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