Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a non-surgical procedure offered at Deborah Heart and Lung Center that opens narrowed or blocked blood vessels responsible for moving blood throughout the body. Another name for PCI is coronary angioplasty with stenting or angioplasty. Fatty deposits can build up inside the arteries and block or narrow blood flow. To restore blood flow, a stent – a small, metal mesh tube that keeps the artery open – is placed. PCI may also be used to quickly restore blood flow after a heart attack.

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How does it work?

During a percutaneous coronary intervention, your Deborah cardiologist:

• Inserts a sheath through a blood vessel in your arm or at the top of your thigh
• Guides a small catheter through the sheath and to your heart
• Injects a contrast dye and uses X-rays to view the catheter in real time
• Opens the blocked artery by inflating a balloon at the tip of the catheter
• Places a stent, if needed, to help the artery stay open
• Removes the catheter and closes the insertion site with a compression bandage (arm), a small stitch (thigh) or collagen plug (thigh).

The procedure usually lasts between 30 minutes and two hours. The exact treatment time depends on several factors, including the extent of plaque buildup.

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Am I a good candidate for treatment?

You may need a percutaneous coronary intervention if you have atheroscleroris. This procedure removes buildups of a thick, fatty substance called plaque from your arteries that increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and blocks blood flow through your heart. Healthcare providers may also use PCI as a heart attack treatment. PCI quickly opens blood vessels, which can help minimize heart damage.

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What can I expect after treatment?

PCI improves artery blood flow for most people. Results will vary, depending on where the blockage was, the size of the blood vessel, and how much blockage there is in other arteries. If the procedure is not effective, the patient may still require coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG).