Nursing NUR301 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Coronary Circulation, Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, Ace Inhibitor
Document Summary
Treating unstable angina sometimes requires surgical intervention, with or without the previous use of medications. Angioplasty is a procedure in which a small catheter (a little tube) is inserted into a narrowed or blocked artery. At the top of this catheter is a little balloon that the physician inflates when the catheter has reached the blocked part of the artery. The balloon, when inflated, helps to push the plaque against the wall of the artery. Once the balloon is deflated, it often opens up the blockage enough for more blood to flow through the artery, and this should lessen the pain. In some cases, a small device called a stent will be put in place to help prop your artery open. If several arteries are severely blocked, coronary artery bypass surgery (also sometimes referred to as coronary artery bypass grafting or cabg) may be recommended.
