What is appropriately correct for me: Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery?

What is appropriately correct for me: Angioplasty or Bypass Surgery?

Angioplasty and bypass surgery are two surgical techniques used to treat clogged or blocked arteries in the case of coronary heart disease (CHD). Both of these treatment procedures aim to improve blood flow to the heart by unclogging blocked arteries. Arteries serve as conduits for oxygen-rich blood, transporting it from the heart to the entire body. Arteries can become blocked due to the buildup of plaque on their inner walls, resulting in a decrease in oxygen-rich blood flow to different parts of the body. In some cases, these arteries can become completely blocked, leading to ailments such as a stroke or a heart attack.

Prevention and management of artery blockages can be achieved by following the appropriate treatment procedure, such as angioplasty or bypass surgery, based on the suitability for the patient. At Hinduja Hospital, we offer comprehensive and all-inclusive healthcare services for the diagnosis, treatment, and management of coronary diseases. Our wide range of treatment options includes angioplasty and bypass surgery in Mumbai. Our highly experienced team of cardiac surgeons and consultants provide their expertise to treat and cure heart ailments in patients of all ages and comorbidities.

What is Angioplasty?

Angioplasty procedure is one of the minimally invasive surgical treatment procedures used to treat a blockage in one of the arteries of the heart caused by coronary artery disease. Angioplasty involves using a tiny balloon attached to the tip of a catheter, which is a thin, lighted tube used as a guide to the blocked coronary artery. Once the blocked area is reached, the balloon may be inflated at the position of the plaque or blood clot, causing the blockage, with or without using a stent.

When is Angioplasty Done?

Angioplasty may be performed as an emergency surgery in the case of a heart attack or as a preventative procedure if the cardiologist suspects a heart attack. Angioplasty may be performed to restore normal coronary artery blood flow. However, not all coronary heart diseases can be treated using angioplasty. The cardiac surgeon in Mumbai is best suited to decide if there is a need for angioplasty based on the individual patient's circumstances.

What is Bypass Surgery?

Bypass surgery of the heart, also known as Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery (CABG), is a surgical treatment procedure in which a new path is created for blood to flow around a partially blocked artery or a blocked artery in the heart. During this surgery, a viable blood vessel from either the chest or legs is extracted and attached beneath the obstructed artery, establishing a bypass pathway for blood to flow from the heart.

When is Bypass Surgery Done?

Heart Bypass Surgery may be performed as an emergency treatment for a heart attack. A cardiac surgeon may recommend bypass surgery in one or more of the following cases:

• There may be a blockage in the aorta or the left main artery of the heart, which carries oxygenated blood to the body.
• The left main artery may be narrowed.
• Various heart arteries may have narrowed, causing chest pain.
• An artery that is blocked and may not be effectively treated by angioplasty.
• Failure of a previous angioplasty surgery, where the stent may not have functioned properly and collapsed.

Difference Between Angioplasty and Bypass Surgery?

Angioplasty, being a minimally invasive surgery guided by a catheter, does not typically require large incisions as it is not a major surgery. A small incision on the leg, arm, or wrist is often sufficient. As a minimally invasive procedure, angioplasty usually takes about an hour or even less to complete. This allows for faster Angioplasty recovery and a shorter hospital stay compared to most other surgical heart treatments. In many cases, patients may not require any kind of anaesthesia and can resume normal daily activities within a few days of the surgery.

On the other hand, bypass surgery procedure often involves larger incisions on the leg and chest to access the necessary arteries. As a major surgery, it may take around 3 to 6 hours or longer to perform. Surgeons may make incisions on the chest that are 8 to 10 inches long to access the affected area of the heart and perform the surgery. Patients are typically placed under general anaesthesia during the procedure. Bypass surgery recovery usually takes around 12 weeks and may include one or two days in the ICU for post-surgical observation.

Choosing the Right Heart Treatment for You

The treating surgeons and consultants may determine the most suitable procedure to be performed on a patient. When deciding between angioplasty and bypass surgery, doctors consider several factors, including:

• The patient's overall health condition.
• The severity and extent of coronary artery disease.
• Accompanying symptoms, such as chest pain and shortness of breath.
• The overall heart function of the patient.
• The patient's medical history.
• The presence of other medical conditions that may affect the surgery's outcome, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a previous case of heart attack or stroke.
• The patient's personal preference may also be taken into consideration.

Bypass surgery may be considered as the better option for surgery in some cases where the arteries of the heart may be clogged in multiple areas or when the blockage is in the main coronary artery in the left portion of the heart. However, weak patients and elderly patients over the age of 80 years may not be good candidates for bypass surgery as it is a major surgery that may put a lot of strain on the body, which they may not be able to tolerate.

On the other hand, angioplasty may be preferred in cases where the blockage is not too narrow and the patient does not have any coexisting medical conditions that may cause deterioration of health after the surgery. Angioplasty may also be considered in patients where treatment using medications, as well as making lifestyle changes, has not been helpful in preventing artery blockage. In some cases, younger patients who are otherwise healthy may prefer to have a less invasive heart surgery so that they can return to their work and normal activities sooner.

Treatment at Hinduja Hospital

At Hinduja Hospital, we are committed to providing world-class healthcare services for a wide range of medical conditions. We offer patient-centric and comprehensive coronary care treatments such as angioplasty and bypass surgery, utilising state-of-the-art, high-end surgical equipment to perform minimally invasive procedures. This approach ensures faster recovery and shorter hospital stays. Our team consists of extensively experienced cardiologists and interdisciplinary cardiac specialists who take immense care in providing the highest quality treatment for safe recovery and healing.

FAQs:

Can we do bypass after angioplasty?

A bypass surgery may be performed after angioplasty if the stent placed to treat a blockage using angioplasty fails to remain in position or collapses over time.

When is angioplasty not recommended?

Not everyone may be a good candidate for angioplasty. Depending on the type and severity of the heart disease, as well as the overall health condition of the patient, doctors may recommend bypass surgery instead of angioplasty.

What is the alternative to angioplasty?

There can be many alternative surgical treatments to angioplasty which may be best decided by a doctor. The most widely used alternative to angioplasty is a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). CABG is a gold standard treatment for long term results, all other modalities compare themselves.