Coronary heart disease generally appears due to uncontrollable factors such as age, family history or through controllable factors such as an unhealthy lifestyle. If you already have coronary heart disease, medical treatment for this disease needs to be done.
Treatment of coronary heart disease with catheterization
In principle, the treatment of coronary heart disease aims to balance the need for blood supply to the heart muscle. Blood flow through the coronary arteries must return to normal for the heart muscle.
Initial treatment is usually done by administering drugs that will reduce plaque formation in the coronary arteries. If medication is unable to destroy the plaque, the current treatment for coronary heart disease can be done by opening narrowed coronary vessels due to blockages through cardiac catheterization (intervention).
- Coronary Angiography (CAG)
It is a minimally invasive procedure using X-rays by inserting a catheter through the peripheral blood vessels (hands/thighs) until it reaches the coronary arteries, followed by administration of a contrast agent to take pictures directly of the coronary arteries. The purpose of this action is to see what percentage of blockages occur in the blood vessels.
This action is carried out in a special room (catheterization laboratory / Cathlab) & sterile. During the procedure the patient remains conscious and able to communicate with the doctor performing the procedure.
If the results of a heart catheterization are stated to be good, then no further action is required, but if the results require further action, then the cardiac catheterization action can be continued with a balloon or stent / ring (PCI) placement. Catheterization is a relatively safe procedure and does not require a long time. Patients can go straight home on the same day ( One Day Care ) or be treated for one night.
- Insertion of Stent /Ring (PCI)
Is an action that aims to dilate blocked coronary arteries by using stents so that blood flow to the heart muscle can return smoothly. This action is also carried out in a special room (catheterization laboratory / Cathlab). There are 2 types of heart stents : Bare Metal Stent (BMS), which is a stent made of stainless steel or cobalt chromium and Drug Eluting Stent (DES), which is a drug-coated stent .
Preparation for Catheterization
In every implementation of medical diagnostics, of course, there is prior preparation. Some of the preparations needed before this cardiac catheterization action are:
- Laboratory tests (blood tests)
- Fasting from eating (not eating) 4 hours before the action, taking medicine as usual
- Get an explanation of the procedure for cardiac catheterization
Cardiac Catheterization Risks
The risk of cardiac catheterization is very small, usually the catheterization examination takes place without problems. Temporary minor risks in the form of bruises due to needle injections, sensitive reactions / sensitivity to contrast substances. More serious complications are extremely rare. So it can be concluded that cardiac catheterization is a safer action. However, to reduce further risks, patients must maintain their health and avoid risk factors and take regular medication.
Consult with a cardiologist for proper treatment of coronary heart disease. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, and avoiding stress can reduce risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Article written by dr. Muhammad A. Basalamah, Sp.JP (Cardiologist and Blood Vessel Specialist at EMC Pulomas Hospital)