Categories: Echocardiogram

How an Echocardiogram Can Determine Whether You Need Angioplasty

Concerned you may need an angioplasty soon? Read on to learn more about this procedure. Treatments like angioplasty might be recommended after an echocardiogram, which is also informally known as an echo. An echo is an ultrasound procedure that uses sound waves to examine the function and structure of the heart. It is used to diagnose various heart issues like valve disease and cardiomyopathy.

Determining whether an angioplasty is needed with an echocardiogram

A cardiologist might recommend procedures like stent placement and balloon angioplasty based on the results of your echo test.

During the procedure, a hand-held wand is placed on the patient’s chest and used to take photos of the heart and its structures. These pictures are used to evaluate how well the patient’s heart is pumping blood. Echocardiograms are typically combined with Doppler techniques to examine blood from through the heart’s valves.

Unlike x-rays and radiograms, echo tests do not use any radiation, making them safe for all patients. The different types of echo tests a cardiologist might order based on a patient’s symptoms include:

Exercise stress echocardiogram
Transesophageal echocardiogram
Transthoracic echocardiogram

What to expect after getting an echocardiogram

The cardiologist’s findings determine what comes next after a patient’s echo test. Patients who do not have significant blockages might be asked to make lifestyle improvements like quitting smoking, losing weight, exercising more often, eating a healthier diet, and getting more sleep.

Patients with moderate symptoms might be prescribed medication to address them. For example, a patient with plaque build-up in their arteries might be prescribed medication that lowers their cholesterol levels.

Surgical treatments are typically used as a last resort when treating heart disease. Some of the surgical procedures that might be recommended include:

Angioplasty

Also known as percutaneous coronary intervention, this procedure is used to remove blockages caused by coronary artery disease. The procedure restores proper blood flow to the heart, eliminating the need for open-heart surgery. Angioplasty can be performed as an elective procedure if a cardiologist suspects a patient has heart disease. The procedure is also used as an emergency treatment for heart attacks.

During the procedure, a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel and guided to the blocked artery. The catheter inflates a small balloon that is attached to its tip once it gets to its destination. The balloon pushes plaque or clots in the artery against its sides, creating more room for blood flow.

A special type of x-ray called fluoroscopy is typically used to detect blockages in arteries during an angioplasty.

Atherectomy

This procedure is often combined with angioplasty. It involves using a catheter with a rotating tip to remove plaque and other buildups inside an artery.

Stent placements

Stents are used in almost all angioplasty procedures. These tiny, expandable metal mesh coils are placed into newly opened regions of arteries to prevent them from closing back up. Some stents are coated with medication to help improve blood flow.