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Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Interventional Therapies offer advanced minimally invasive procedures to diagnose and treat heart conditions, ensuring faster recovery and improved cardiovascular health.

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Percutaneous Coronary Interventions

Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) , also known as coronary angioplasty, is a nonsurgical technique for treating obstructive coronary artery disease, including unstable angina, acute myocardial infarction (MI), and multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD) procedure that improves blood flow to your heart. PCI requires cardiac catheterization, which is the insertion of a catheter tube and injection of contrast dye, usually iodine-based, into your coronary arteries. The treatment is minimally invasive and relies on thin tubes called catheters. Doctors enter the body through an artery in the wrist or leg, and then thread catheters toward the heart. They use contrast dye and X-rays to guide their work. This imaging procedure is called an angiogram and is a type of cardiac catheterization.

Risk Factors

✓ Cigarette Smoking
✓ Hypertension
✓ Hyperlipidemia
✓ Diabetes

Clinical Indications

✓ Acute STEMI
✓ Non-ST Elevation ACS
✓ Unstable Angina
✓ Stable Angina
✓ High Risk Stress Test Findings

Conditions Treated

✓ Coronary Artery Disease
✓ Blocked Coronary Arteries
✓ Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD)

Before the procedure

Shortly before your procedure, you may receive a sedative to help you relax. For most PCIs, patients are sedated but not asleep.
Your hair may be clipped in the area where a catheter will be inserted, such as the groin or wrist.
An intravenous (IV) line is placed, allowing us to give you medications quickly, if necessary.
Electrodes will be placed on your body to monitor your heart, and a small device called a pulse oximeter may be clipped on a finger or ear to track the oxygen level in your blood.

During the procedure

A PCI procedure typically takes between one and three hours, depending on the complexity of the blockage and the treatment required.
During the procedure, you will lie comfortably on a procedure table while a local anesthetic is administered at the catheter insertion site to minimize discomfort.
Once the catheter reaches the heart, a contrast dye is injected to clearly visualize the coronary arteries on X-ray imaging and identify the narrowed or blocked areas.
Based on the findings, the cardiologist performs the most appropriate PCI technique to restore healthy blood flow through the affected artery.
After treatment is completed, the catheter is carefully removed and pressure is applied to the insertion site to prevent bleeding.
Recovery instructions depend on the access site. Patients treated through the groin may need to remain flat for several hours, while those treated through the arm will keep the arm elevated and supported during recovery.

After the Procedure

After the procedure, you will be moved to a recovery area where our team will closely monitor your condition for several hours.
Most patients are advised to remain in bed for two to six hours, depending on their condition and the type of PCI performed.
Mild chest discomfort or soreness may occur following the procedure. Pain relief medication can be provided if needed to ensure your comfort.
Drinking plenty of water and fluids is encouraged to help flush the contrast dye from your body and support recovery.
Depending on your condition, you may either return home the same day or stay overnight in the hospital for observation and additional monitoring.
If discharged on the same day, arrange for someone to drive you home and avoid operating a vehicle for at least 24 hours after the procedure.