The 7 common myths about balloon angioplasty and stent implantation for coronary heart disease:
-- Dr Akshay Mehta


Myth No. 1. Angioplasty procedure ‘fails’ after a few years
The chances of recurrence of narrowing or “restenosis” after balloon angioplasty & stent implantation (“failure”) is less than 10% with the use of the new drug eluting (‘medicated’) stents and if at all this occurs, it is usually within a year or two. Beyond this period, the stent remains patent (open) in most cases and doesn’t ‘fail’. Most stents which have been implanted since more than 20 years have remained patent.

Myth No. 2. The balloon can burst in the coronary artery
Though possible, it is an extremely rare occurrence and can be tackled.

Myth No.3. The stent can slip or migrate from its position.
No, it never happens as it is embedded in the inner wall of the artery at high pressure.

Myth No. 4. One should always select ‘Medicated” (drug eluting) stents for implantation.
It is best to leave the choice of stent to the operating cardiologist. In certain cases, the apparent net advantages of a ‘medicated’ stent over a bare metal stent are minimal, so that a less expensive bare metal stent can be used in those cases.

Myth No. 5. One can stop medications after a few days once angioplasty has been done.
This is dangerous. After stent implantation, if blood thinners like aspirin and clopidogrel are stopped, the stent can get clotted and the resulting blockage can cause an ACUTE HEART ATTACK or DEATH. Hence aspirin, clopidogrel and cholesterol lowering statins should be continued non-stop under doctor’s guidance.

Myth No. 6. One has to restrict activities after angioplasty.
A few days’ rest may be advisable if the angioplasty is done for an acute condition like a heart attack or unstable angina. But eventually, gradually increasing activity under medical guidance is advisable. In fact, the chances of recurrence of disease or narrowing after angioplasty are reduced in people doing regular moderately vigorous exercise besides eating a prudent diet, taking medications properly and regular check ups and consultations.

Myth No. 7. Bypass surgery is always better than balloon angioplasty
No, both angioplasty and bypass surgery have their advantages and disadvantages and risks & benefits. It is important to discuss with your doctor how they apply to your situation and the best treatment option for you.