A percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is an invasive cardiac procedure to unblock blocked cardiac arteries. Coronary angioplasty with stenting, or angioplasty for short, is a more traditional nomenclature for PCI.
Your body gets oxygen-rich blood from your heart via blood vessels known as arteries. During percutaneous coronary intervention, the heart specialist uses a balloon to open a blocked artery and re-establish the blood flow.
PCI procedure helps to clear your arteries of a thick, fatty substance called plaque. The plaque gradually accumulates in your blood vessels, leading to atherosclerosis. This, in turn, puts your heart at risk by restricting blood flow. You might experience angina or chest discomfort if your heart isn't pumping blood effectively. Also, heart surgeons perform this procedure to treat heart attacks. It quickly helps open the blood artery and minimizes the risk of cardiac damage.
Aster Hospitals, one of India's topmost healthcare providers, can be the best place for complex PCI. Aster Hospitals are famous for their clinical infrastructure and expert teams that include the finest doctors in our country. The hospitals are equipped with ultra-modern technologies and have a comforting environment. The best part is that Aster's cardiac team of qualified doctors and other specialists coordinate to provide top- class healthcare to all patients.
FAQs
At Aster Hospitals we provide the highest quality of care and a transformative experience for all your healthcare needs. With our network of multi-speciality hospitals, specialised doctors, and world-class technology, we bring global standards of medical care to our patients.
How is complex PCI different from traditional PCI?
Complex PCI involves more intricate and complicated cases, often requiring advanced techniques such as bifurcation stenting and rotational atherectomy or using specialized devices to treat complex lesions.
Who performs complex PCI?
Highly trained interventional cardiologists with experience in handling challenging cases perform complex PCIs.
What can be the complications of PCI?
Some amount of risk is present in all invasive heart procedures. The PCI procedure may have the following risks:
- Bleeding at the site of catheter insertion
- Blood clots in the stent
- Infection at the site of catheter insertion
- Artery narrowing
- Stroke
What are some challenges in complex PCI?
Challenges in complex PCI include:
- Treating heavily calcified lesions
- Managing chronic total occlusions
- Fixing bifurcation lesions
- Managing complications like perforations or dissections.
Are there alternatives to complex PCI?
Yes. In some cases, bypass surgery might be considered if PCI is deemed too complex or risky.
What are the tools used in complex PCI?
Some standard tools used in complex PCI include:
- Intravascular imaging
- Fractional flow reserve
- Atherectomy devices
- Various types of stents
How do patients prepare for complex PCI?
Patients typically undergo thorough assessments that include:
- Imaging
- Functional tests
These determine the most appropriate approach for their complex case.
Is PCI a risky procedure?
The risk of complications is typically low with percutaneous coronary intervention. If your surgeon uses a drug-eluting stent during PCI, the risk of artery closure reduces to less than 5%.
How does a patient recover after complex PCI?
The recovery time of complex PCI can be slightly longer due to the complexity of the procedure. However, the outcomes can be excellent when performed by experienced teams.
What is a new advanced development in complex PCI?
New devices, imaging technologies, and techniques are continually developed to enhance success rates and minimize risks in complex PCI procedures.
Advanced Technology & Facilities
Aster Hospitals has received accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare (NABH) and NABL endorsement for our cutting-edge laboratory services. In addition, two Aster hospitals are regarded as the gold standard in international health. The patient-focused facility with great care and the finest clinical results make Aster the first choice in healthcare.
Complex PCI is a percutaneous coronary intervention procedure that involves challenging and complex anatomies, serious blockages, multiple blood vessel involvement, or complications from previous interventions. The types of complex PCI available at Aster include the following:
Bifurcation-guided PCI
This PCI includes treating blockages at the point where a coronary artery branches into two smaller vessels. This invasive procedure can be challenging due to the complex structural anatomy and probability of risks. The prime goal of this PCI is to restore blood flow to both branches while minimizing the risk of restenosis or thrombosis.
Chronic total occlusion-guided PCI (CTO-guided PCI)
Your surgeon performs chronic total occlusion-guided percutaneous coronary intervention to treat long-standing blockages in coronary arteries. Chronic total occlusions are arteries completely blocked for an extended period, typically over three months. CTO-guided PCI helps to restore blood flow through the blocked or clogged artery, relieves symptoms, and improves overall cardiac function.
Image-guided PCI
This invasive procedure utilizes different imaging techniques to guide and optimize PCI procedures. Image-guided PCI techniques provide real-time visualization of the coronary arteries. They help heart specialists make the right decisions and save lives. Some common imaging modalities used in image-guided PCI include the following:
- Angiography
- Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Fractional flow reserve (FFR)
- Instant wave-free ratio (IFR)
Physiology-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI)
This procedure uses physiological measurements, such as fractional flow reserve (FFR) and instantaneous wave-free ratio(FFR), to guide during coronary artery interventions. This helps cardiologists assess the state of coronary artery blockages and decide whether stenting or any other interventions are needed.
Rotablation
This invasive procedure is also known as rotational atherectomy. Your surgeon will use this procedure to treat severely calcified coronary artery blockages. During therotablation procedure, the cardiac specialist will insert into the blocked artery a special catheter with a tiny rotating burr at its tip. This burr rotates at high speed, grinding away the calcified plaque built on the arterial walls. Sometimes, surgeons use this as a preparation technique before placing a stent.
Diagnostic amenities at Aster that help in complex PCI are as follows:
Intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP)
This medical device is inserted into the biggest artery, called the aorta, to help the heart pump blood. Cardiac specialists use it as temporary support for people with cardiac failure or those undergoing high-risk procedures.
Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS)
This medical imaging technique is used for cardiac catheterization. It provides real-time images of the blood vessel's interior. It helps heart surgeons diagnose and visualize plaque buildup, blood vessel thickness, and any other structural abnormalities. In addition, it helps in diagnosing and guiding surgical interventions such as placing a stent.
Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
OCT is a high-resolution imaging technique used in cardiology. This technique helps the cardiologist know the composition of the plaque, the position of the stent, and the dimensions of blood vessels. It helps in the diagnosis and treatment of disorders like coronary artery disease.
Fractional flow reserve (FFR)
FFR is a medical measurement that helps assess the severity of coronary artery blockages. It guides cardiologists in identifying which lesions are causing severe blood flow restrictions. This helps to make treatment decisions, such as whether a stent is needed.
