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Thursday 28 November 2013

Heart Disease Part-7

Heart Disease Part-7

Heart Disease Part-7

View the Heart Disease Slideshow

Angioplasty and stenting

If the coronary angiogram (coronary=heart + angio=artery + gram=record) shows significant blockage in an artery, the cardiologist may attempt an angioplasty, in which a balloon is placed via a catheter (as with angiography) at the area of narrowing and when quickly inflated, compresses the offending plaque into the wall of the artery. Often a stent, or a metal cage, is placed at the site of angioplasty to keep the blood vessel from narrowing again. Should a stent be placed, patients are usually started on antiplatelet medication to prevent clot formation. Clopidogrel (Plavix) and prasugrel (Effient) are the two most common medications prescribed.

Surgery

For those patients with multiple coronary artery blockages, coronary artery bypass grafting may be a consideration.

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