Home » Angioplasty with Stenting

What is Angioplasty with Stenting?

Angioplasty with stenting, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), is a minimally invasive procedure to open narrowed or blocked coronary arteries, typically by inflating a balloon and placing a stent to restore blood flow to the heart. It’s commonly used to treat coronary artery disease (CAD) or acute coronary syndromes like heart attacks. In India, this procedure is performed in cardiology departments at hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS, often at affordable costs. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs is essential for patients.

Why do you need Angioplasty with Stenting?

Angioplasty with stenting is indicated for:

  • Coronary artery disease (CAD):
    • Stable angina: Chest pain on exertion due to narrowed arteries (50–70% of cases).
    • Acute coronary syndrome: Unstable angina or myocardial infarction (heart attack; 20–30% of cases).
    • Prevalence in India: 10–15% of adults over 40 years; higher in urban areas (e.g., 20% in Delhi, per 2023 studies).
  • Other indications:
    • Failed medical therapy (e.g., nitrates, beta-blockers).
    • High-risk findings on stress test or angiogram (e.g., >70% stenosis in major artery).
  • Types of stents:
    • Drug-eluting stents (DES): Most common (80–90%); coated with medication to prevent re-narrowing.
    • Bare-metal stents (BMS): Less common; higher risk of restenosis but used in specific cases (e.g., bleeding risk).
  • Associated treatments:
    • pre-op: Antiplatelets (e.g., aspirin, clopidogrel) to reduce clotting risk.
    • Post-op: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) for 6–12 months; statins to manage cholesterol.
  • Timing:
    • Performed in adults (average age 50–70 years for CAD); urgent for heart attack (within 90 minutes of presentation, “door-to-balloon time”).

The procedure aims to relieve chest pain, improve heart function, and reduce the risk of heart attack, with a high success rate for symptom relief and artery patency.

Why Do Angioplasty with Stenting Costs Vary in India?

Costs range from ₹1 lakh to ₹3 lakh:

  • Procedure Complexity: Single vessel (₹1–2 lakh); multivessel or complex (₹2–3 lakh).
  • Stent Type: BMS (₹20,000–₹50,000); DES (₹50,000–₹1 lakh per stent; 1–3 stents common).
  • Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis: ₹2–3 lakh); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS: ₹50,000–₹1 lakh, often subsidized under Ayushman Bharat).
  • Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced cardiologists charge more.
  • Additional Costs: Anesthesia/sedation (₹5,000–₹15,000), hospital stay (₹5,000–₹15,000/day), medications (₹5,000–₹10,000).
  • Insurance: Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider.

Angioplasty with Stenting Procedure

  • Before Procedure Evaluation:
    • Assessment:
    • Preparation: Stop blood thinners (if safe); fasting 4–6 hours; antiplatelets started.
    • Consent: Risks, including stent thrombosis, are explained.
  • Procedure Technique:
    • Angioplasty with Stenting:
      • Performed under local anesthesia with sedation, lasting 30–90 minutes.
      • Process:
        • Access: Catheter inserted via radial (wrist, 70–80% in India) or femoral artery (groin).
        • Coronary angiogram: Contrast dye injected; X-ray (fluoroscopy) visualizes blockages.
        • Guidewire advanced through blockage; balloon catheter inflates to open artery (1–3 minutes).
        • Stent deployed: Expands to scaffold artery; DES releases drug (e.g., everolimus) to prevent restenosis.
        • Completion: Catheter removed; artery sealed (manual pressure or closure device for femoral access).
      • Intraoperative Tools:
        • Guidewire: Navigates coronary arteries.
        • Balloon catheter: Opens artery (1–3 mm diameter).
        • Stent: DES (e.g., Xience, Resolute) or BMS; typically 2–4 mm diameter, 8–38 mm length.
        • Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS, if needed): Ensures proper stent placement (used in 10–20% of cases).
  • After Procedure:
    • Hospital stay: 1–2 days (stable cases); 3–5 days (heart attack).
    • Care: Bed rest for 4–6 hours (femoral access); monitor access site for bleeding.
    • Pain management: Mild discomfort at access site for 1–2 days; managed with painkillers (e.g., paracetamol).
    • Instructions: Avoid heavy lifting for 1–2 weeks; start DAPT (aspirin + clopidogrel) immediately.

Recovery After Angioplasty with Stenting

  1. Hospital Stay: 1–2 days (stable); 3–5 days (heart attack).
  2. Post-Procedure Care:
    • Pain: Mild discomfort at access site for 1–2 days; resolves in 3–5 days.
    • Activity: Avoid strenuous activity for 1–2 weeks (radial); 2–4 weeks (femoral); light activities in 2–3 days.
    • Access site: Small bruise common; radial scar (1–2 mm) fades in weeks; femoral scar (2–3 mm) fades in months.
    • Medications: DAPT for 6–12 months (aspirin lifelong, clopidogrel 6–12 months); statins, beta-blockers.
    • Symptoms: Chest pain relief in 80–90% within days; full benefit in 4–6 weeks.
  3. Follow-Up:
    • Visits at 1 week (check access site), 1 month, and every 3–6 months (monitor symptoms).
    • Stress test/ECG: At 3–6 months to assess heart function; 90–95% stent patency at 1 year (DES).

Most resume normal activities in 1–2 weeks; full recovery takes 4–6 weeks. Success rate: 90–95% immediate vessel patency; 80–90% symptom relief; 5–10% risk of restenosis within 1 year (DES).

Risks and Complications

  • Procedure Risks:
    • Bleeding (2–5%): At access site (femoral > radial); may need pressure or surgery (<1%).
    • Vessel damage (1–2%): Dissection or perforation; may need emergency bypass (<1%).
    • Allergic reaction (1%): To contrast dye; managed with steroids.
  • Post-Procedure:
    • Stent thrombosis (1–2%): Clot in stent; risk highest in first 30 days; prevented with DAPT.
    • Restenosis (5–10% DES, 20–30% BMS): Re-narrowing; may need repeat angioplasty.
    • Kidney injury (1–3%): From contrast dye; higher risk in diabetics or pre-existing kidney disease.
    • Heart attack (1–2%): During procedure (e.g., vessel closure); managed with emergency stenting.
  • Long-Term:
    • Stent failure (5–10% at 5 years): Restenosis or thrombosis; may need repeat procedure.
    • Progression of CAD (20–30%): New blockages in other arteries; managed with lifestyle changes, medications.

Report chest pain, fever, severe swelling, or shortness of breath promptly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What causes the need for angioplasty with stenting?

Coronary artery disease (CAD), causing angina or heart attack, often due to blockages from plaque buildup.

Can I avoid angioplasty with stenting?

Yes, if mild: Medications (e.g., statins, beta-blockers) and lifestyle changes; PCI needed for severe blockages or heart attack.

Is angioplasty with stenting painful?

Mild discomfort at access site for 1–2 days; procedure itself painless (sedation used); resolves in 3–5 days.

How soon can I resume normal activities?

Light activities: 2–3 days; full recovery: 4–6 weeks; avoid strenuous activity for 1–2 weeks (radial) or 2–4 weeks (femoral).

Is angioplasty with stenting covered by insurance in India?

Often covered (medical necessity); confirm with your provider; Ayushman Bharat often subsidizes.

Signs of complications?

Chest pain, fever, severe swelling at access site, or shortness of breath.

How long does a stent last?

DES: 90% functional at 5 years; lifelong if no complications; restenosis risk 5–10%.

Lifestyle changes post-procedure?

Take DAPT, follow low-fat diet, exercise (30 min/day), quit smoking, manage stress, and attend follow-ups.

Conclusion

Angioplasty with stenting is a safe and effective procedure for treating coronary artery disease, with high success rates for symptom relief and improved heart function. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) provide affordable care, often covered by insurance. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach it confidently. Consult a cardiologist for personalized guidance.

Looking for Best Hospitals for Angioplasty with Stenting

Note: we are not promoting any hospitals

we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)

  • click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
City Minimum Price (₹) Maximum Price (₹)
Agra
1,50,000
3,50,000
Ahmedabad
2,00,000
4,00,000
Ajmer
1,50,000
3,50,000
Aligarh
1,50,000
3,50,000
Allahabad
1,50,000
3,50,000
Amritsar
1,75,000
3,75,000
Aurangabad
1,75,000
3,75,000
Bangalore
2,00,000
4,00,000
Bareilly
1,50,000
3,50,000
Belgaum
1,75,000
3,75,000
Bhopal
1,75,000
3,75,000
Bhubaneswar
1,75,000
3,75,000
Bikaner
1,50,000
3,50,000
Chandigarh
2,00,000
4,00,000
Chennai
2,00,000
4,00,000
Coimbatore
2,00,000
4,00,000
Dehradun
1,75,000
3,75,000
Delhi
2,00,000
4,00,000
Dhanbad
1,50,000
3,50,000
Durgapur
1,50,000
3,50,000
Faridabad
2,00,000
4,00,000
Ghaziabad
2,00,000
4,00,000
Gorakhpur
1,50,000
3,50,000
Guntur
1,75,000
3,75,000
Gurgaon
2,00,000
4,00,000
Guwahati
1,75,000
3,75,000
Gwalior
1,50,000
3,50,000
Hyderabad
2,00,000
4,00,000
Indore
1,75,000
3,75,000
Jabalpur
1,50,000
3,50,000
Jaipur
2,00,000
4,00,000
Jalandhar
1,75,000
3,75,000
Jamshedpur
1,75,000
3,75,000
Jodhpur
1,50,000
3,50,000
Kanpur
1,50,000
3,50,000
Kochi
2,00,000
4,00,000
Kolkata
2,00,000
4,00,000
Kollam
1,75,000
3,75,000
Lucknow
1,75,000
3,75,000
Ludhiana
2,00,000
4,00,000
Madurai
1,75,000
3,75,000
Mangalore
1,75,000
3,75,000
Meerut
1,50,000
3,50,000
Moradabad
1,50,000
3,50,000
Mumbai
2,00,000
4,00,000
Mysore
2,00,000
4,00,000
Nagpur
1,75,000
3,75,000
Nashik
1,75,000
3,75,000
Navi Mumbai
2,00,000
4,00,000
Noida
2,00,000
4,00,000
Patna
1,50,000
3,50,000
Pune
2,00,000
4,00,000
Raipur
1,75,000
3,75,000
Rajkot
1,75,000
3,75,000
Ranchi
1,50,000
3,50,000
Surat
2,00,000
4,00,000
Thane
2,00,000
4,00,000
Vadodara
1,75,000
3,75,000
Varanasi
1,50,000
3,50,000
Visakhapatnam
1,75,000
3,75,000

Disclaimer

This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.

Scroll to Top