Expectations after surgery:

Angioplasty greatly improves blood flow through the coronary arteries and the heart in most patients. It may eliminate the need for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). However, CABG may be recommended for persons whose arteries can not be widened enough with angioplasty or who have severe blockages.

Angioplasty does not cure the cause of the blockage. The arteries may become narrow again, which may or may not require another procedure. Stents coated with medicines (drug-eluting stents) may help prevent future narrowing (drug-eluting stents) and reduce the rates of repeated angioplasty.

You should diet, exercise, stop smoking (if you smoke), and reduce stress to help lower your chances of re-narrowing. Your health care provider may prescribe medicine to help lower your cholesterol.

Most patients receive aspirin and another medicine called clopidogrel (Plavix) after this procedure. It is very important to take the medicines exactly as your doctor tells you. Failure to do so can result in blood clotting in the stent (stent thrombosis) and a heart attack.

Convalescence:

Usually, the average hospital stay is less than 2 days. Some people may not have to stay overnight in the hospital at all.

In general, persons who have angioplasty are able to walk around within 6 hours after the procedure. Complete recovery takes a week or less. Keep the area where the catheter was inserted dry for 24 to 48 hours.