What is Primary Coronary Angioplasty?

Coronary angioplasty, also called percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a procedure used to open blocked coronary arteries. It restores blood flow to the heart muscle without performing any major heart surgery. It usually does not require general anesthesia. When angioplasty is done in an emergency setting during an acute heart attack, it is called primary angioplasty.

How long does primary coronary angioplasty take?

Primary angioplasty usually takes 30- 60 minutes to perform it. After the procedure, the patient is shifted to coronary care unit (CCU) for monitoring vital signs, the catheter insertion site, and circulation and sensation in the affected leg or arm. If everything goes well, then the patient is mobilized from the second day and usually discharged home on the third or fourth day.

Primary coronary angioplasty is the most effective standard treatment for ongoing heart attack all over the world. It is better than thrombolysis (dissolving the clot inside coronary artery by giving drugs). Best time to open the artery is as soon as the acute heart attack is diagnosed and within 90 minutes of reaching hospital door, because we all know that “Time is muscle”. During heart attack as the time passes, muscle goes on getting permanently damaged.

Obstacles of Primary Angioplasty:

The main obstacle for primary angioplasty is the availability of cath lab and round the clock cardiologist to perform it. The second obstacle is lack of awareness among people that this procedure is life-saving and gives a better quality of life. Patient attendant often asks doctor to stabilize their patient with medicine and do angioplasty later on, as they are unaware of the benefits of this life-saving procedure.

Primary Angioplasty in Paras Hospital Patna :

We, as a team, give 24*7 primary coronary angioplasty service to Patna city. If a person develops acute severe chest pain, he/ she must visit emergency department of the nearest hospital for initial work up and if an acute heart attack is diagnosed, he/she must undergo this life-saving treatment to save their heart from permanent damage.

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