CORONARY ANGIOPLASTY COST IN INDIA

Coronary arteries are responsible for the circulation of blood in and out of the cardiac muscles. It consists of the left and the right arteries that are further subdivided into several branches.

Each of the coronary arteries has a significant role in carrying out an uninterrupted blood supply to the heart.

Any of the damage or blockage in the coronary arteries require immediate medical assistance, or else it may result in undesired consequences.

The treatment procedure that helps to overcome such disorders is referred to as Coronary Angioplasty.

Factors affecting the price of Coronary Angioplasty in India are:

• Coronary Disorder in the patient
• The procedure of the surgery used by the cardiologist
• Drugs and medicines
• The overall physical and mental health of the patient
• Necessary tests and diagnosis
• Choice of hospital and surgeon
• Selection of room for a stay in the hospital
• Preference of hotel outside the hospital
• No. of travellers with the patient and
• Miscellaneous.

Exclusive of non-medical expenses, the cost of Coronary Angioplasty in India starts at USD 3,800. The variation in the price depends on the personalised situation of the patients.

Even if you include overall expenditure, taking into account, your travel expenses and every possible penny spend during your medical tourism to India, the total cost of treatment will be much less in comparison to any other country across the globe.

What is Coronary Angioplasty?

Coronary Angioplasty is a surgical procedure that makes use of a balloon to open a blocked coronary artery or to widen the narrow coronary arteries.

Coronary Angioplasty is also known as Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty or PTCA. Sometimes, the cardiologists may make use of stents instead of the balloon to stretch open the blockage in the artery. This stent is left in place for the proper passing of blood to and fro from the cardiac muscle.

The use of stenting, along with the angioplasty, is referred to as Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or PCI.

Who is a Potential Candidate for Coronary Angioplasty?

The cardiologists use Coronary Angioplasty for the treatment of:

• Atherosclerosis:

It is a condition in the patients above the age of 45 years that leads to blocking and narrowing of the coronary arteries resulting in coronary artery disease or complete heart failure.

• Angina:

It is yet another heart disorder that restricts the flow of blood to cardiac muscles resulting in severe chest pain. It can be a result of extreme stress or hardcore physical activities.

If the patient reaches the hospital timely after the angina attack, the treatment is possible with the help of medication. But the surgery becomes essential, in case the blood does not reach the heart at the required rate. Coronary Angioplasty can help restore the flow of blood to cardiac muscles.

• Emergency Treatment for Heart-Attack;

Coronary Angioplasty acts as a supporting treatment for severe heart attack. It initiates the supply of blood to the cardiac muscles before the further proceedings of the surgery and helps gain the necessary control over the situation.

The Procedure for Coronary Angioplasty:

• The cardiologist makes use of local anaesthesia while performing the surgery. The patient does not lose consciousness, as the surgeon carry out the treatment.
• Now, the surgeon receives further guidance by an X-Ray Video, where he can mark the affected artery.
• Then, he proceeds by making an incision either in the leg, arm or groin. This incision helps to insert the catheter in the blocked artery.
• Following the path of the catheter, a thin wire is used to guide the balloon in the blockage.
• The surgeon then makes a move to inflate the balloon. The inflation of the balloon opens up the blocked arteries and directs the flow of blood to the cardiac muscle.
• In case, the balloon is not able to do the needful; the cardiologist inserts a stent to open the blockage in the coronary artery.
• The stent is held in place by inflating a balloon, and once the route for the flow of blood is cleared, the balloon is removed. The stent remains permanently in the coronary artery to reduce the chances of blockages in future.

It might take 30 minutes to 3 hours to complete the coronary angioplasty. The time taken to accomplish the surgery highly depends on:

• The affected area or point of operation
• The procedure required to fix the issue.
• The complexity of the situation.

Recovery After the Surgery:

As the process followed for the treatment is minimally invasive, and also the patient is conscious throughout the process; there are least chances of complications. So, the doctor allows the patient to head back to the home either the same day or within 48 hours of the surgery.

However, the patient must take adequate rest at home and also follow the medical prescription precisely in terms of dosage as well as time for a speedy recovery.

Do not take up with any heavy exercises or strenuous activities for a minimum period of one week after the surgery. The surgeons would say a strict no for lifting heavy weights and even driving.

After one week, you must visit the cardiologist for a follow-up diagnosis. Here, he will analyse your body response to the surgery and then suggest for further care.

Follow the guidance of the cardiologist to stay fit and avoid any chances of complications.

Complications and Risks After Coronary Angioplasty:

Coronary Angioplasty is one of the safest heart treatments that involve a minimum risk. It is commonly used for senior citizens, above the age of 60 and yet is highly successful.

Still, a surgery can never be 100% risk-free, so some of the common side-effects post coronary angioplasty can be:

• Heart Attack
• Excessive Bleeding
• Infection due to use of stent
• Nerve damage
• Blood clotting and
• A heart stroke.

However, if a person would suffer from any severe risks or not, depends on some factors, including:

• The age of the patient
• History of heart attack
• The overall well-being of the patient and
• Several arteries blocked.

One more way that can help to avoid the chances of complications after the surgery is not compromising with the choice of a cardiologist or the hospital.

A well-experienced surgeon is capable of giving a 100% successful treatment to the procedure, and it is possible only if he has all the necessary equipment. The latest techniques, equipment and advanced technology are available only in specialised cardiac centres of top hospitals.