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Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA) Procedure
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Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease. It occurs when cholesterol plaque builds up in the walls of arteries in a process called arteriosclerosis. As the plaque increases in size, the insides of the coronary arteries get narrower and less blood can flow through them. When the heart does not get enough blood or oxygen, heart attack or angina can result.
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What is Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA)
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), or Coronary Angioplasty, is a minimally invasive non-surgical procedure that is used to open narrowed arteries. It involves the use of a flexible catheter with a balloon at the tip, which is inflated at high pressure inside the narrowed arterial wall. This will force the arterial plaque against the blood vessel and improve the blood flow to the heart muscle. This procedure can improve some of the symptoms associated with blocked arteries, such as chest pain or shortness of breath.
For most patients, PTCA greatly increases blood flow through the previously blocked artery. Your chest pain should subside and you may have a better ability to exercise.
Successful angioplasty also means you might not have to undergo a more invasive surgical procedure called coronary artery bypass surgery. Recovery from bypass surgery is usually longer and may be more painful.
Other advantages of the PTCA procedure:
- It does not require a major incision
- You do not need general anaesthesia
- Major complications are uncommon (< 1% risk of heart attack/ stroke/ mortality)
- It can relieve your symptoms, such as chest pain
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Who it is for
For patients whose medications or lifestyle changes are not enough to reduce the effects of the blockages in their arteries; or if patients have worsening chest pain, shortness of breath or heart function despite optimal medical treatment.
As this procedure widens (dilates) blocked arteries, it can help prevent the complications of atherosclerosis. PTCA is usually combined with implantation of a stent in the clogged artery to help prop it open and decrease the chance of re-blockage.
For patients whose coronary arteries are not suitable for angioplasty, alternative treatment options would be coronary artery bypass graft surgery or continued medical therapy. |
Our treatment centre
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS) |
The NHCS Advantage
High Volume And Depth Of Experience
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| NNHC has one of the highest volumes and experience in coronary angioplasty, for a single centre, in this region. We perform over 2,000 coronary angioplasties per year. About 250 of these are performed in an emergency setting for heart attack. |
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Positive Outcomes
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| Our overall mortality rate is only 0.6% (0.2% for elective PTCA), which is much lower, than the 1% figure quoted as international standards. |
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Multidisciplinary Care
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| Understanding that cardiovascular rehabilitation is a life long process, we off er several therapeutic components (eg health education, dietary and metabolic counselling, psychological counselling) to help patients get better. |
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24-Hour Treatment
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| Emergency balloon angioplasty to open up the diseased arteries, in order to reduce the amount of heart muscle damage, is available at 24-hours. |
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Find a Doctor
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Other Cardiothoracic Surgery Procedures
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Call our 24-hr hotline:
+65 6326 5656 |
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