Angioplasty Procedure in Turkey (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention)

What is an Angioplasty Procedure in Turkey?

Angioplasty, also known as, percutaneous coronary intervention and is a procedure done to open the blocked heart arteries. It is a non-surgical procedure and a thin flexible tube(a catheter) is used to place a stent.

Coronary angioplasty makes the blood circulate better, thus heart-related chest pain (angina) is reduced, making the patient feel better and increasing the patient’s ability to be mobile. Pci cardiology is usually planned early.

Angioplasty procedure can also soothe the indications of heart disease if the patients haven’t had a heart attack.

Fractional flow reserve (FFR): A lot of congested arteries benefit from angioplasty and stenting. However, some don’t. FFR is an unusual type of wire-based technology doctors use to make that ascertainment when it isn’t clear straight away.

Advanced imaging: Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) are other types of catheterization that let the doctors to see what the congested arteries look like and place stents in the most appropriate areas.

Radial artery access: Cardiologists have habitually carried out angioplasty and stenting through a femoral artery(the main artery of the thigh). The doctors took a new approach, they have started to use the radial artery in the wrist. Whenever possible, the radial approach is used, allowing the patients to go home the same day instead of staying overnight to be monitored. Further radial advantages are:

• Less bleeding and vascular complications
• Quicker recovery time
• Greater comfort

How is an Angioplasty Surgery, PCI in Turkey Done?

Angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention, is carried out by Clinic Center cardiologist(heart surgeon) and a team of nurses and technicians.
The surgery is done via an artery in the groin, arm, or wrist. During the surgery, the patient may be awake but will be given a sedative to make them relaxed.
The patient’s heart rate and blood pressure will be checked.
Clinic Center cardiologist uses a local anaesthetic to numb the area that is going to be operated. Then, a very small incision will be made. A small, thin guide wire then will be placed in the artery.
During the procedure, live X-rays will be used, Clinic Center doctor will thread a thin tube (catheter) through the patient’s vein. Once the catheter is in place, the contrast dye is administered through it. This lets the doctor see the inside of the patient’s blood veins and find the blocked areas on X-ray pictures called angiograms. A small balloon either with or without a stent at the tip of the thin tube is blown up at the area of the blockage, this expends the blocked area. After the vein is expanded, the balloon is flattened and the catheter is taken out.
The procedure takes 30-90 minutes. But when the getting ready and the recovery times are added, it can take several hours in total.
Because the patient is under local anaesthesia, the patient won’t actually feel pain but might feel pressure in the area where the catheter is placed. There is going to be a bit lack of comfort when the balloon is inflated and when the vein is stretched, but normally patients don’t feel any sharp pain during the surgery.
In some surgeries, a patient has a stent placed. Thereby, the doctor puts in a thin flexible tube, also known as a catheter, in an artery in the arm or leg of the patient, nearly same as the balloon angioplasty surgery. A specially designed thin flexible tube conveys the stent to the small area in the artery. The stent is broadened, compressing the plaque up against the artery wall and holding the artery open with a mesh tube. The thin flexible tube used to convey the stent is then drawn out, but the stent stays in the artery permanently to maintain healthy blood flow.

How Long Does Angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) Procedure Take?

The PCI cardiac procedure takes about 30-90 minutes. But when getting ready and the recovery times are added, it can take several hours in total. Patient and their friends/ family that they may bring with them should be ready for this.

Who is a Candidate for Angioplasty, Percutaneous Coronary Intervention?

Candidates for PCI heart procedure are,

• People who have had a heart attack.
• People who are not feeling better even though they have a healthy lifestyle.
• People who have chest pains that are getting worse.
• People who have a blood flow that isn’t what it should be.
• People who are in good health to have the procedure.

How to Prepare for Angioplasty, PCI?

Before a scheduled heart angioplasty surgery, Clinic Center cardiologist checks the patient’s medical history and do a consultation. Before the PCI cardiology procedure, some tests may need to be done including a chest X-ray, electrocardiogram, and blood tests. If it isn’t already done, Clinic Center doctor will also do a coronary angiogram to see if the arteries to the heart are closed up and if they can be treated with angioplasty.
If the doctor finds congestion whilst doing the angiogram, it’s possible that the doctor may choose to do angioplasty and stent surgery straight away. After the angiogram, while the patient’s heart is still catheterized, the doctor may inform the patient to change or stop taking some of their medicines before surgery, like aspirin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or blood thinners. Patients shouldn’t forget to tell the doctor about all the medications they take, including herbal supplements. Patients will be told to stop eating or drinking six to eight hours before their surgery. Patients can take confirmed medicines with only small sips of water on the morning of their surgery. They should take all of their medicines to the hospital, including nitroglycerin(if it is being taken.)

If the patient is going to have the Angioplasty procedure under general anaesthesia they should prepare like this:

Important Note:

Surgery will be CANCELLED if the patient may be pregnant or the patient has health problems(apart from the reason they came for)(the anaesthesiologist will check before the patient is taken to the operating room).

Two Weeks Before Surgery: 

• Patients shouldn’t drink alcohol and should stop smoking. Nicotine affects the blood circulation and this can affect the result of your procedure and increase the risk of problems with anaesthesia.

One Day Before Surgery:

• After midnight, nothing should be eaten or drank.

Day of The Surgery:

• Patients can shower before going to the hospital.
• Patients should come without any cosmetic products on their body(eyelashes, nail varnish(gel etc.) fake nails).
• Patients should pack a bag of loose-fitting clothes and comfortable shoes.
• If there is hair on the patient’s chest, it needs to be shaved.
• Patients shouldn’t wear jewellery, or bring valuables to their surgery.

What are the Risks of Angioplasty?

Every surgery has its risks. The risks for coronary angioplasty are;

• The operated artery can re-narrow.
• Blood clots.
• Bleeding.
• Kidney problems.
• Heart attack.
• Damage to a heart valve or artery.
• Infection.
• It is a low risk, but the patient might still have a stroke.
• Death

Angioplasty, PCI Results in Turkey

• The chest pain that existed should go down.
• Blood flow to the heart should improve.
• Patients may be able to exercise better. However, having the heart angioplasty procedure won’t make the heart disease go away.
• Patients will have to have a healthy lifestyle and will have to take the medication as prescribed by the Clinic Center cardiologist.
• To keep their heart in good shape, patients have to stop smoking, lower their cholesterol levels, keep their weight at a healthy number, check diabetes, and high blood pressure.
• After the procedure, if patients feel like they used to before(having chest pain at rest etc.) they should contact a doctor or emergency help.

For more information, don’t hesitate to contact us: 

What to Expect After an Angioplasty Surgery?

• Patients will most likely be taken to a recovery room for several hours to be monitored.
• Patients need to stay in bed for 2 to 6 hours, this depends on their particular condition.
• If there is discomfort, pain medication might be given.
• Patients will be supported to drink water and other fluids to help get rid of the contrast dye from their body.
• After a percutaneous coronary intervention, most patients stay in the hospital for the night.

Angioplasty Recovery and Aftercare

Depending on what the doctor says, the patient will at least stay at the hospital for one night. During this time, patient’s heart will be monitored and medications will be given. One week after the surgery, patients should be able to return to work or their daily routine.
Patients should drink plenty of fluids to help flush their body of the dye. For at least one day, patients should not do heavy exercises and lifting heavy items. Patients shouldn’t smoke and should eat healthy food. Patients should take their medicines as instructed by the Clinic Center doctor. Patient should ask their doctor or nurse about other restrictions in activity.

Advantages of Angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) in Turkey assisted by Clinic Center

As there are risks, there are also advantages of having the angioplasty procedure;

• Risk of another heart attack is possibly lowered.
• Gets the blood flowing to the heart again quickly.
• Lessens chest pain.
• May prevent shortness of breath.
• Patient may not need open heart bypass surgery.

Angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) Cost in Turkey

Turkey has more or less become the place to go for all kinds of surgery and rightly so. Because, the surgeons are experts in their fields and the prices compared to the USA and the EU countries is around 50-60% lower for percutaneous coronary intervention. People may be sceptical because the angioplasty cost in Turkey is much lower compared to the price in their country, so they could wonder “are the doctors good?”. But when they look into the doctors, they see that the quality of the doctors is very high. So, when they come to Turkey they win. Also, because Clinic Center works with the best surgeons in Istanbul, our patients will get the best possible service.

Angioplasty (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) All Inclusive Package

Thanks to our package, our patients always have a comfortable trip from Turkey to their home after having a successful operation for percutaneous coronary intervention in Turkey. For the patient to have maximum comfort, Clinic Center organizes everything they may possibly need. Here are the details: